dive (redirected from dove)

dive in with both feet and jump in with both feet

Fig. to become completely involved with something quickly, especially something new. I had never done anything like this before, but I just jumped in with both feet and learned it in no time.

See also: both, feet

dive off

((of) something ) to jump off something headfirst. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) Rachel dived off of the rock into the river. She dived off the high diving board.

take a fall and take a dive

to fake being knocked out in a boxing match. Wilbur wouldn't take a fall. He doesn't have it in him. The boxer took a dive in the second round and made everyone suspicious.

See also: fall, take

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ducking and diving  (informal)

if you spend your time ducking and diving, you are involved in many different activities, especially ones which are not honest 'What do you do for a living?' 'This and that, ducking and diving.'

See also: and, duck

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dive into something also dive in

to start something enthusiastically without first thinking about it Our mistake was to dive into the work without much preparation.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of dive in (to go head first into water)