Nose dive
/nəʊz daɪv/
Definition
The meaning: Nose dive refers to a sudden and dramatic decline, often used in financial, physical, or metaphorical contexts.
La signification: Cette expression désigne une chute soudaine et spectaculaire, souvent utilisée dans des contextes financiers, physiques ou métaphoriques.
Note: This term is commonly used to describe stock market crashes, sudden failures, or sharp declines in performance.
Word Analysis
French synonyms
» Chute brutale
» Effondrement rapide
» Plongée soudaine
A: L'action a fait une chute brutale hier.
B: Oui, elle a perdu 30% en une journée !
English synonyms
» Sharp decline
» Sudden drop
» Plummet
A: The company's profits took a nose dive last quarter.
B: Yes, it was an unexpected financial hit!
Example Dialogue
Mpho: "Did you see how the company’s stock took a nose dive after the scandal broke?"
Thato: "Yes, it was shocking! Investors must be panicking right about now."
Mpho: "Do you think it’ll recover, or is this the beginning of a bigger collapse?"
Thato: "It’s hard to say. If they handle the crisis well, it might bounce back. But if not, it could get worse."
Etymology
Origin: The term "nose dive" originates from aviation terminology, where it describes a steep, sudden descent of an aircraft with its nose pointed downward. The phrase was first recorded in the early 20th century and has since been adopted metaphorically to describe any sudden and dramatic decline, such as in financial markets, performance, or morale.
Audience
The phrase "nose dive" is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts to describe a rapid and steep decline. It is widely understood in everyday language, particularly in discussions about aviation, economics, sports, or general performance.
When to use: Use this phrase when describing a sudden and sharp drop in value, quality, or performance. For example: "After the scandal, the company's stock took a nose dive," or "Her confidence took a nose dive after the criticism." It is suitable for informal and formal contexts, especially when emphasizing a dramatic decline.
Dictionary Meaning
Cambridge says the expression phrasal verb idiom means "a dive or fall with the head or nose first." Here's a provided example of use:
'In the end, the reputation of such colleges will nosedive.'
News Snippet
"Webb said 63 or 64 of the Lion Air cases had settled or were close to settlement. He did not disclose the settlement amount.
The second crash, which killed all 157 on board after nose-diving soon after take-off from Addis Ababa in March, led to a global grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX that is still ongoing and a crisis for the world’s biggest planemaker.
Read the full article at The Daily Maverick
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Common Idioms & Expressions
Nose Dive: A rapid and dramatic decline in value, condition, or success.
Example: "After the scandal, the company’s stock took a nose dive."
Go South: To deteriorate or decline suddenly and significantly.
Example: "The negotiations started well, but things quickly went south."
Take a Turn for the Worse: To change suddenly in a negative way.
Example: "His health seemed stable, but then it took a turn for the worse."
Hit Rock Bottom: To reach the lowest possible point.
Example: "After losing his job and home, he felt he had hit rock bottom."
Crash and Burn: To fail spectacularly, often after a promising start.
Example: "His startup crashed and burned after just six months."
Fall Apart: To break down completely, either physically, emotionally, or structurally.
Example: "Without proper leadership, the project fell apart."
Spiral Out of Control: To escalate uncontrollably, leading to chaos or disaster.
Example: "What started as a minor disagreement spiraled out of control."
Go Down the Drain: To be wasted or lost entirely.
Example: "Years of hard work went down the drain after the bankruptcy."
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