dunk in(to) (something)

dunk in(to) (something)

1. To submerge quickly into a body of liquid. I dunked into the lake to rinse the muck off my body. The kids love dunking in the creek behind our house on hot summer days.

2. To push someone or something quickly into a liquid. A noun or pronoun can be used between "dunk" and "in(to)." Being nice to your little brother does not include dunking him into the pool, OK? I can't eat French fries without dunking them in ketchup first.

3. To slam a basketball through a basket from above. A noun or pronoun can be used between "dunk" and "in(to)." He intercepted the other player's pass, dribbled the ball up the court, and dunked it effortlessly in the net. I've never been able to dunk a basketball into a basket. I just can't jump that high.

4. To slam something into a basket or similar receptacle, in the manner of a basketball being dunked. A noun or pronoun can be used between "dunk" and "in(to)." A: "Did the boss like your proposal?" B: "Well, she took a look at it, crumpled the paper up into a ball, and dunked it in the trashcan beside her desk. So, no, he didn't like it."

See also: dunk

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

dunk someone or something into something

 and dunk someone or something in

to submerge someone or something in something, fully or partially. They dunked him into the pool as a way of celebrating. Liz pulled the cup of coffee toward herself and dunked in her doughnut. She dunked herself into the cold water for just a minute.

See also: dunk

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