dive
dive — verb
1. to enter water headfirst, usually with the arms stretched out forward and above
to enter water headfirst, usually with the arms stretched out forward and above the head, for enjoyment or in a competition
The children cheered when Sora dove off the wooden dock into the cool lake.
dive + off [place] + into [water]
Nellie took a deep breath and dove into the pool at the deep end.
dive + into [body of water]
Femi climbed onto the high board and dove into the water without any hesitation.
The lifeguard dove into the rough sea to pull the struggling swimmer to safety.
- dive into the pool
- dive off the board
- dive from the cliff
- dive headfirst
- surface
to come up out of the water
Grammar Patterns
dive + into/off/from + [place]
dive + into/under + [body of water]
Usage Note
The past tense can be either dove (especially in American English) or dived (especially in British English). Both forms are correct.
Common Mistakes
2. to swim underwater using special breathing equipment, such as an air tank and ma
to swim underwater using special breathing equipment, such as an air tank and mask, in order to explore or observe marine life
During their holiday in Thailand, Isabela and Yan went to dive among the coral reefs.
dive among [underwater features]
Mert's diving licence allows him to go down to thirty metres below the surface.
dive + up to [depth]
The instructor checked Sivan's air tank before they both descended to explore the shipwreck.
Lauren plans to dive off the coast of Honduras next summer with marine biologists.
- go diving
- dive with sharks
- dive at a reef
- scuba dive
- go diving
colloquial phrasal equivalent for recreational scuba diving
Grammar Patterns
dive + in/at/off + [location]
dive + to + [depth]
Usage Note
When the context is clearly recreational diving, 'go diving' is a common alternative: 'They went diving in the Red Sea last year.'
3. to experience a sudden and steep drop in price, quantity, or level
to experience a sudden and steep drop in price, quantity, or level
The company's share price dove by fifteen per cent after the disappointing earnings report.
dive + by [percentage]
Temperatures in the northern region are expected to dive below freezing tonight.
dive below [threshold]
When the stock market dove last autumn, many small investors lost their savings.
Sales of the product dove sharply after customers complained about the poor quality.
- dive by a third
- dive to a new low
- dive sharply
- dive suddenly
- plummet
similar intensity, also implies a steep, uncontrolled fall
- crash
more dramatic; often used for a complete collapse in value
- drop sharply
less dramatic; describes the result without the speed implication
Grammar Patterns
dive + by + [amount]
dive + to + [value]
dive + from + [value]
Usage Note
Used most often in financial and economic contexts. 'Dive' differs from the milder 'drop' or 'fall' by emphasising the speed and severity of the decrease.
Common Mistakes
4. to move steeply downward through the air at high speed
to move steeply downward through the air at high speed
The fighter jet dove toward the runway before landing smoothly.
dive toward [target]
The eagle dove from the sky and snatched a fish from the river.
The helicopter dove suddenly to avoid the smoke rising from the burning building.
A peregrine falcon can dive at speeds of over three hundred kilometres per hour.
dive + at [speed]
- dive toward the ground
- dive steeply
- dive at high speed
- plunge
very close in meaning; 'plunge' may suggest a less controlled or more violent descent
- drop steeply
more neutral; lacks the speed connotation of 'dive'
Grammar Patterns
dive + toward + [target]
dive + from + [height]
Usage Note
The subject is typically an aircraft, bird, or flying object. For prices or values, use sense 3 instead.
5. to move suddenly and quickly to a particular place, especially to hide, escape d
to move suddenly and quickly to a particular place, especially to hide, escape danger, or catch an object
When the rain started, Sana dove into the nearest cafe to stay dry.
dive into [place] for shelter
The goalkeeper dove to his left and pushed the ball away from the goal.
dive + direction to make a save
Élise dove behind the sofa when the doorbell rang, hoping to surprise her brother.
The cat dove under the table the moment it heard the vacuum cleaner start up.
- dive for cover
- dive out of the way
- dive into a shop
- dive behind a wall
Grammar Patterns
dive + into/behind/under/for + [place or thing]
Usage Note
Unlike other senses of 'dive', this one does not require downward movement — it emphasises quickness and suddenness in any direction.
Common Mistakes
6. in soccer, to drop to the ground on purpose when no player from the other team h
in soccer, to drop to the ground on purpose when no player from the other team has actually made contact, hoping the referee will call a foul and give your team a free kick or penalty
The forward got a yellow card for diving — the replay showed no contact.
dive — simulating a foul
Fans booed the player for diving in the area to win a penalty.
Indra accused the striker of diving, insisting that the defender's foot never made contact.
The referee ignored the protest and waved play on, certain it was a dive.
- accuse someone of diving
- booked for diving
- a clear dive
- simulate a foul
the official term used by referees and governing bodies
Grammar Patterns
dive — no object needed; often used in the continuous form: 'he is diving'
Usage Note
This sense carries a strongly negative judgement — players who dive are seen as dishonest. The noun form 'a dive' is also common: 'It was a clear dive.'
7. in rugby or American football, to launch your body forward while carrying the ba
in rugby or American football, to launch your body forward while carrying the ball so that you land stretched out on the field — done to score a try or touchdown, or to reach the ball before it hits the ground
Hyun dived over the try line with two defenders grabbing at his legs.
dive + over + [target area] in rugby
With three seconds left, Selim dived forward and stretched the ball toward the end zone.
dive + forward to reach a goal
The fullback dived low to catch the bouncing ball before an opponent could reach it.
dive + low + to-infinitive for purpose
Reuben dived across the corner of the field and grounded the ball for a try.
- dive forward
- dive over the line
- dive across the field
- dive low
- hurl yourself
more dramatic and informal; 'He hurled himself at the line.'
- launch yourself
slightly more deliberate than dive; 'She launched herself over the ruck.'
Grammar Patterns
dive + forward / across / over
Usage Note
This sense is specific to rugby and American football; in rugby the action often aims to score a try, while in American football it is frequently used to reach the goal line or catch a pass.
Common Mistakes
dive in
phrasal verbTo start doing something with enthusiasm and without hesitation.
Maya decided to dive in and learn Spanish this summer.
When the project started, Diego dove in immediately.
dive into
phrasal verbTo begin to do or examine something with great interest and energy.
Sara dove into the mystery novel and finished it in one day.
Brian loves to dive into new recipes on weekends.
dive — noun
1. a movement in which a person jumps head first into a pool, lake, or the sea, typ
a movement in which a person jumps head first into a pool, lake, or the sea, typically with arms stretched forward
Brian performed a perfect dive off the high board at the swimming pool.
collocation: perform a dive / do a dive
The children practised their dives from the side of the pool before the race.
Amihan took a deep breath and made a clean dive into the cold lake.
collocation: make a dive
Nikos won the competition with a dive that barely made a splash.
The coach showed the team a video of a perfect dive from an Olympic champion.
- perform a dive
- make a dive
- take a dive
- do a dive
- dive into the pool
Grammar Patterns
make/take a + dive
dive + into + water
Usage Note
Countable noun; frequently paired with the verbs 'do', 'take', 'make', or 'perform'.
Common Mistakes
2. a trip or activity in which a person swims below the surface of the ocean or a l
a trip or activity in which a person swims below the surface of the ocean or a lake, usually carrying an air tank and a mask
The resort offers guided dives for beginners at the coral reef every morning.
collocation: guided dive / go on a dive
Daichi went on a dive near the island and saw a sea turtle swimming nearby.
Before the dive, the instructor checked everyone's air tanks and masks.
collocation: before the dive
Caio recorded his dive with a small camera attached to his mask.
A strong current made the dive more difficult than the group had expected.
- go for a dive
- guided dive
- deep dive
- reef dive
- before the dive
- scuba dive
a more technical term that specifies the breathing equipment used
- swim
general movement in water; does not imply going below the surface with equipment
Grammar Patterns
go for a + dive
dive + in/at + location
Usage Note
Often refers to recreational scuba diving. The phrase 'go for a dive' implies a single underwater session.
3. a sudden and sharp fall in the market price of a financial asset, such as a comp
a sudden and sharp fall in the market price of a financial asset, such as a company's shares, a government bond, or a national currency
The company's shares took a dive after the disappointing sales report was released.
collocation: take a dive (financial)
Investors were worried by the sudden dive in the value of the local currency.
collocation: dive in [value/price]
A dive in oil prices caused problems for companies that depended on high energy costs.
Min sold her shares before the dive and saved a lot of money.
The technology index took a dive when the trade talks collapsed.
collocation: index / market takes a dive
- take a dive
- a dive in prices
- a dive in value
- share dive
- stock dive
- surge
a sudden strong upward movement in value
Grammar Patterns
a dive + in + noun
Usage Note
Subject of the sentence is typically a financial asset (share, currency, bond). Not used for physical objects losing value. For drops in non-financial quantities such as temperature, ratings, or attendance, see noun sense 8 (SHARP DECLINE).
Common Mistakes
4. a steep, rapid downward movement through the air by an aircraft, bird, or other
a steep, rapid downward movement through the air by an aircraft, bird, or other flying object
The eagle went into a dive and caught a fish from the river.
collocation: go into a dive
The pilot pulled the plane out of its dive just moments before reaching the ground.
collocation: pull out of a dive
Emre watched a hawk make a steep dive toward a rabbit in the field.
Birds of prey use a fast dive to catch animals on the ground.
The plane's sudden dive scared the passengers inside the cabin.
- go into a dive
- pull out of a dive
- steep dive
- execute a dive
Grammar Patterns
go into a + dive
Usage Note
Frequently used with 'go into a dive' (beginning the descent) and 'pull out of a dive' (ending it). For aircraft, a dive is steeper and faster than a normal descent.
5. an action in football where a player falls to the ground on purpose without bein
an action in football where a player falls to the ground on purpose without being pushed or tripped, hoping the referee will award a free kick or penalty
The striker was given a yellow card for his obvious dive inside the penalty area.
football context: dive in the penalty area
Fans shouted at the player, accusing him of a dive when no one touched him.
The coach said the dive stopped the team from scoring on a free kick.
Devika thought the player's dive was obvious and the referee should have seen it.
Replays showed that the forward was not touched — it was a clear dive.
collocation: clear dive / obvious dive
- take a dive
- accuse someone of a dive
- obvious dive
- simulation
the formal football term for a dive; used in official rule books and referee reports
- flop
informal term, especially used in basketball for faking a foul
Grammar Patterns
take a + dive
Usage Note
This sense is always negative — it describes cheating. 'Take a dive' can also refer to boxing (see noun sense 7) but in football it means faking a fall.
Common Mistakes
6. a sudden, fast movement of the body toward something, especially to reach, catch
a sudden, fast movement of the body toward something, especially to reach, catch, or avoid it
The goalkeeper made a desperate dive to his left and stopped the ball.
collocation: make a dive for something
Obi made a dive for the umbrella as the wind blew it off the table.
Sivan took a dive under the couch to grab the ball before the dog came.
collocation: take a dive (quick movement)
Ezra made a quick dive for the door before it closed all the way.
The cat made a sudden dive under the bed when it heard the loud noise.
- make a dive for
- take a dive
- desperate dive
Grammar Patterns
make a + dive + for/preposition
Usage Note
Unlike sense 1, this does not involve water or a planned action. It describes an urgent, reactive movement in any direction.
7. an act in boxing where a fighter falls to the ground on purpose and acts as if t
an act in boxing where a fighter falls to the ground on purpose and acts as if they have been hit too hard to continue, in order to cheat or help the other fighter win unfairly
The referee knew the boxer took a dive when he fell after a light punch.
take a dive — fixed phrase for faking a knockout in boxing
Officials investigated after the boxer seemed to take a dive in round three.
Walid refused to take a dive, although he was offered a lot of money.
The boxer's manager was arrested for asking his fighter to take a dive.
Fans were angry when they learned their champion had taken a dive during the match.
- take a dive
- fix
broader term for arranging an illegal result in a sports match
- throw a fight
strongly implies the fighter agreed to lose on purpose, not just fake a knockout
Grammar Patterns
take + a + dive
Usage Note
Frequently in the fixed phrase 'take a dive'. The subject is usually a boxer, and the phrase implies dishonest or illegal behaviour.
Common Mistakes
8. a quick and usually large fall in any measurable quantity, level, or amount — fo
a quick and usually large fall in any measurable quantity, level, or amount — for example, a drop in temperature, a decline in approval ratings, or a decrease in participation numbers
After the cold front arrived, temperatures took a sharp dive below freezing across the region.
take a sharp dive — common collocation for sudden quantity drop
The mayor's approval rating took a dive after the scandal was reported by local journalists.
collocation: approval rating takes a dive
Hotel service quality took a dive after the new owners took over.
Attendance at the local museum took a dive during the long winter months.
collocation: attendance takes a dive
Luca's energy levels took a dive after working twelve-hour shifts for several weeks.
- take a dive
- sharp dive
- sudden dive
- dive in quality
- dive in attendance
Grammar Patterns
a + dive + in + [noun phrase]
Usage Note
Frequently paired with 'take' ('approval ratings took a dive') or 'sharp' ('a sharp dive in quality'). Common in weather (temperature), opinion polls (approval ratings), and performance contexts. For drops in purely financial assets such as shares or currencies, see noun sense 3 (STOCK / VALUE DROP).
Common Mistakes
9. a bar, restaurant, hotel, or club that is in very bad condition, looks dirty or
a bar, restaurant, hotel, or club that is in very bad condition, looks dirty or poorly maintained, and is often visited by people who behave in a rough or unpleasant way
We walked into a dark dive near the station and left right away.
informal noun for a dirty, unpleasant bar or club
From the outside, the hotel looked like a dive, with broken windows and old furniture.
Lara refused to eat at the dive, even though the prices were very low.
The old nightclub had become a dive, with broken chairs and sticky floors.
Tourists were warned to avoid the dive bars near the edge of town.
- dive bar
- dive hotel
- seedy dive
- dark dive
- cheap dive
- upscale place
a high-quality, well-maintained restaurant, hotel, or bar
Grammar Patterns
a + [adjective] + dive
Usage Note
This is a derogatory and informal term. Use it only in casual conversation, not in formal writing. It describes a place that looks neglected or unsafe. The compound 'dive bar' is especially common in American English.
Common Mistakes
take a dive
idiomto deliberately fall down and pretend to be knocked out or injured, especially in boxing, in order to cheat
The referee suspected that the boxer had taken a dive in the third round for money.
Sports fans were furious when they learned the fighter had agreed to take a dive for a payment.
dive bar
idioma bar or nightclub that is cheap, run-down, or in a poor condition, often in a less desirable part of a city
They found a small dive bar on the side street that served cheap drinks and played old records.
Tourists wandered into a dive bar by mistake and were surprised by the sticky floor and broken stools.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
Dive, jump, plunge, sink, and plummet all describe downward movement, but each highlights a different style or purpose. Dive emphasises a deliberate, head-first entry into water — the person controls the action and aims for a clean, stretched entry (e.g., 'Sora dove off the wooden dock'). Jump is the general term for leaving a surface to go into air or water; it does not specify head-first orientation, so a jump can be feet-first or any other way (e.g., 'The children jumped off the dock feet first'). Plunge often suggests a more forceful, less controlled entry — it can be head-first or not, but it always carries a sense of suddenness and weight (e.g., 'The car plunged off the cliff into the sea'). Sink is the opposite of dive in terms of intent: sinking is a passive, unwanted movement downward through water, while diving is active and controlled (e.g., 'The boat hit a rock and began to sink'). Plummet belongs to a different context — it is used for objects or values falling quickly and out of control through air, not for a person entering water deliberately (e.g., 'Share prices plummeted after the announcement'). So for everyday swimming and sports, dive (head-first, intentional) and jump (any style) are the most useful pair to distinguish.
Common collocations
Etymology
Dive comes from Old English dūfan ('to dive, sink') and dȳfan ('to immerse'). Both words trace back to Germanic roots, and they are related to deep and dip — all three share the idea of going down or into something.