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Glite Dictionary
to dive in

to dive in

23 3.7
Start doing something quickly and with a lot of energy
  • phrasal verb
  • /daɪv ɪn/
  • Informal
translation icon : lanzarse
  • But before we dive in, let's go over how this works.

And let's dive in to my list.

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Examples

  • Let's dive in and start the project immediately, as we have a lot to accomplish.

  • Do you need anything or should we dive in?

    Judy (2019)

  • We could all just dive in and see who makes it to the top.

    Deep Blue Sea (1999)

  • Let's really dive in and try the real thing.

  • Let's dive right in and get started the way we do every year, by forming our committees.

    Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (2023)

  • Use these links to dive in and learn more about what's happening at NC State.

    Blog text (7)

  • So my friends, without further ado, let us dive in to the April beauty roundup.

    Allana Davison

  • I learned a great lesson: don't be afraid to dive in headfirst into the unknown.

    Blog text (9)

  • After a brief discussion, we decided to dive in and tackle the challenges ahead.

  • Don't hesitate; just dive in and give your best effort during the competition.

Synonyms

to get going
vsto dive in
422 2.3

To start doing something or to leave

is specifically about enthusiastic and often hasty beginning rather than simple action
to jump
vsto dive in
  • Informal
366 1.8

To join an activity or take an opportunity quickly and eagerly

focuses more on starting without hesitation than only eagerness
to get into
vsto dive in
147 2.8

Begin to like and learn about something

is more about an energetic immediate start rather than gradual interest
to plunge
vsto dive in
56 4.2

To move suddenly and energetically into something like water or a new activity

overlaps in energy but stresses sudden immersion more than simple start
to jump into
vsto dive in
38 3.0

Start taking part in something quickly and with enthusiasm

is similar but often stresses lack of hesitation rather than immediate success
to get it on
vsto dive in
  • Informal
10 7.8

To begin an activity with energy

is similar but often highlights spontaneous choice rather than steady drive
to get stuck in
vsto dive in
  • UK
2 5.8

To start a task with energy and eagerness

is more about the initial enthusiastic plunge rather than ongoing effort
to jump off
vsto dive in
2 4.8

To start quickly and get an early lead

focuses on enthusiastic starting rather than early measurable success
to start into
vsto dive in
  • Informal
1 4.3

Begin speaking or acting quickly with energy about a topic

is nearly identical but more focused on eagerness than suddenness
to jump headlong
vsto dive in
1 7.3

To start something quickly without thinking about the risks

keeps energetic start but is less negative about thoughtfulness or risk
to fly out of the blocks
vsto dive in
6.7

Begin something very quickly and with a lot of energy

shares speed but emphasizes enthusiasm without stressing sheer quickness
to sally into
vsto dive in
8.4

To make a sudden, energetic start in a new activity

shares suddenness but is less tied to novelty and more to enthusiasm
to get in the swim
vsto dive in
  • Informal
8.4

To start taking part in an activity or group

is more about starting with energy and often without hesitation

Antonyms

to hesitate
318 2.5

To pause before saying or doing something because you feel unsure

How Eager

to dive in
  • Informal
23 3.7
to jump into
38 3.0
to toss in with
  • Informal
7.4
to start
∞ 1.0
to hesitate
318 2.5

Surface Forms

dive in infinitive
diving in present participle
dives in third person singular
dove in past
dove in past participle

Morphology

dive + in

The literal meanings of 'dive' (to plunge) and 'in' (into) map onto the idiomatic sense of plunging into an activity, so a learner who knows the constituents can often infer the idea of starting something quickly and energetically. However, the shift from a physical motion to the abstract sense of beginning with enthusiasm is a metaphorical extension rather than strictly compositional, so full understanding of the nuance may require some exposure.

Etymology

Dive in comes from the image of someone jumping straight into water to start swimming, with dive showing the jump and in showing going into the water. Because that is a quick, eager action, dive in now means 'to start something with energy and no hesitation'.