plumb the depths

plumb the depths

1. to experience extreme sadness. His wife left him in May and during the following months he plumbed the depths of despair. (usually + of)

2. to understand something in detail, especially something that is difficult to understand. In hypnosis we plumb the depths of the unconscious. (usually + of)

3. if something that someone does or says plumbs the depths, it is very bad. I read one review which said the show plumbed the depths of tastelessness. (often + of)

See also: depth, plumb

---

plumb the depths (of something)

to carefully examine something in order to understand or explain it. Who would want to plumb the depths of the criminal mind?

Etymology: based on plumb line (= a cord with a heavy piece of metal attached to it, used to measure the depth of water under a ship)

See also: depth, plumb