dove

crash dive

1. noun A sudden descent, typically in an emergency situation. The phrase is usually applied to submarines and airplanes. Engine two is out, prepare for a crash dive! It's a miracle that everyone survived the plane's crash dive. I never had a fear of flying before that crash dive. Luckily, we didn't actually crash, but the whole ordeal was unbelievably terrifying

2. verb To make such a descent. My brain could barely comprehend that the our lives were in danger before the plane started to crash dive. With suspicious activity appearing on the radar, our best option was to crash dive. I'm sorry, men, but with the enemy closing in, we had no choice but to crash dive.

See also: crash, dive

dive in

To begin or undertake something quickly, enthusiastically, and without trepidation. I know you're nervous about starting school, but you just need to dive in and do your best! Instead of sitting around and talking about it, let's just dive in and start putting this thing together. I have to give something a lot of thought first—I'm not one to just dive in, you know?

See also: dive

dive in with both feet

To begin or undertake something quickly, enthusiastically, and without trepidation. I know you're nervous about starting school, but you just need to dive in with both feet and do your best! Instead of sitting around and talking about it, let's just dive in with both feet and start putting this thing together. I have to give something a lot of thought first—I'm not one to just dive in with both feet, you know?

See also: both, dive, feet

dive into (something)

1. Literally, to jump or leap into something, often a pool. I was so hot after my run that I dove into the pool as soon as I got home. Ugh, I somehow got water up my nose as soon as I dove into the pool. My boyfriend and I held hands and dove into the pool.

2. To start a task enthusiastically, perhaps without much forethought. Because we just dove into fixing up our house, every room is under construction at the same time. Instead of sitting around and lamenting this dumb project, why don't we dive into it and start brainstorming? I'm not one to just dive into something, you know? I have to give it a lot of thought first.

3. To begin eating something enthusiastically. Each kid dove into his slice of cake as soon as it was set before him. You don't have to wait for me. Go on, dive into your meal before it gets cold. I am so hungry right now. I can't wait to dive into a burger and fries.

See also: dive

dive off

Literally, to jump or leap off of something, often headfirst. After debating it for several summers, Anna finally dove off the high dive at the community pool today. A: "Wow, you really dove off the side of the pool!" B: "Yeah, my friend taught me how to dive earlier in the summer." It wasn't exactly graceful, but I did manage to legitimately dive off the diving board.

See also: dive, off

hawks and doves

Respectively, those who favor or support aggressive military action, especially regarding foreign policy, versus those who are inclined to more peaceful, diplomatic solutions. After the terrorist attacks, the hawks in Congress demanded a unilateral attack on the foreign nation, while the doves among them maintained that diplomatic sanctions would be effective for the time being. Yeah, good luck getting the hawks and doves in the House to agree on a strategy here. Well, what did you expect? When you're dealing with hawks and doves, the former wants to fight back and the latter wants a more diplomatic response.

See also: and, dove, hawk

turtledove

A term of endearment, typically for a romantic partner. Gene is very excited to have a new little turtledove in his life. OK, turtledove, I'll see you at 8 o'clock.

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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, dive, 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.

See also: dive, off

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

dive in

v.

1. To plunge one's body into something: The swimmer stood at the edge of the pool and dived in. The bird flew up suddenly before diving in the water.

2. To start enthusiastically: The teacher laid out the chemistry equipment, and the students dived in.

3. To start eating eagerly: I'm getting hungry, I can't wait to dive in. Here's the pizza; dive in!

See also: dive

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

dove

(dəv)

n. someone who supports a peace-seeking U.S. defense policy. (Compare this with hawk.) The doves want to sell the tanks and distribute the money to the poor.

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.