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Meaning & use

diving in head first

phrase·Everyday

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UK/ˌdaɪvɪŋ ɪn ˌhed ˈfɜːst/
US/ˌdaɪvɪŋ ɪn ˌhed ˈfɝːst/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    Jumping into water with your head going down before your body, rather than feet first.

    Grammar: Used as a noun phrase or after 'be': 'He was diving in head first.'

    Patterns

    • be diving in head first
    • go diving in head first
    • diving in head first into something

    She stood on the rocks, took a breath, and went diving in head first.

    Diving in head first into shallow water is dangerous.

    The children were diving in head first off the side of the pool all afternoon.

  2. phrasefixed phrasefigurative

    Starting something new or risky immediately, without stopping to plan or check first.

    Grammar: Figurative use; often follows 'be' or 'go': 'She is diving in head first.'

    Patterns

    • be diving in head first
    • go diving in head first into something
    • diving in head first without thinking

    He's diving in head first and buying the shop before he's even seen the accounts.

    Instead of diving in head first, take a week to research the market.

    They went diving in head first into the project and ran out of money by June.

Common combinations

diving in head first into
He was diving in head first into the pool before the whistle blew.
go diving in head first
They decided to go diving in head first off the high board.
diving in head first without looking
She is diving in head first without looking at the risks.
be diving in head first
You're diving in head first again — slow down and read the contract.

Synonyms and how they differ

plunging in
Focuses on the sudden downward movement of entering water; it doesn't carry the idea of acting without planning.
taking the plunge
Also means starting something risky, but it suggests a considered decision, not a careless rush.

Opposites

easing intesting the water

Word family

dive verb
To jump or go down quickly into water or into an activity.
diver noun
A person who dives, especially as a sport or job.
headfirst adverb
With the head going first; written as one word when it is an adverb.

Commonly confused: diving in head first or headfirst? diving in head first or head start?

diving in head first vs headfirst

This is one word and works as an adverb ('She fell headfirst'), while 'head first' in this phrase is two words inside a longer idiom.

diving in head first vs head start

A head start is an advantage you begin with; it sounds similar but has nothing to do with jumping into water.

Practice

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