take a dive—
1. (of a plane) make a sudden precipitate descent:
- The plane took a dive and disappeared underneath a mushroom-shaped cloud.
2. go into a rapid decline:
- By 10:30 the company’s stock had taken a dive from more than $110 dollars a share to just over $40.
3. (Boxing ) fake being knocked out in a match:
- He took a dive in the second round and made everyone suspicious.
4. (U.S. Underworld) get arrested (also: take a fall):
- I didn’t want to take a dive, but the cop left me no choice.
take a nose-dive—
1. = take a dive 1:
- The small plane took a nose dive. The pilot was able to bring it out at the last minute, so the plane didn’t crash.
2. = take a dive 2:
- After a really splendid first week, the Festival took a nosedive from which it never recovered.