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Plunge vs Fling - What's the difference?

plunge | fling |

In figuratively|lang=en terms the difference between plunge and fling

is that plunge is (figuratively) the act of pitching or throwing one's self headlong or violently forward, like an unruly horse while fling is (figuratively) an attempt, a try (as in "give it a fling" ).

In obsolete|lang=en terms the difference between plunge and fling

is that plunge is (obsolete) an immersion in difficulty, embarrassment, or distress; the condition of being surrounded or overwhelmed; a strait; difficulty while fling is (obsolete) a trifing matter; an object of contempt.

As nouns the difference between plunge and fling

is that plunge is the act of plunging or submerging while fling is an act of throwing, often violently.

As verbs the difference between plunge and fling

is that plunge is (label) to thrust into water, or into any substance that is penetrable; to immerse while fling is to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl.

plunge

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • the act of plunging or submerging
  • a dive, leap, rush, or pitch into (into water)
    • to take the water with a plunge
    plunge in the sea
  • (figuratively) the act of pitching or throwing one's self headlong or violently forward, like an unruly horse
  • (slang) heavy and reckless betting in horse racing; hazardous speculation
  • (obsolete) an immersion in difficulty, embarrassment, or distress; the condition of being surrounded or overwhelmed; a strait; difficulty

    • Verb

    (plung)
  • (label) To thrust into water, or into any substance that is penetrable; to immerse.
  • To cast or throw into some thing, state, condition or action.
  • To baptize by immersion.
  • (label) To dive, leap or rush (into water or some liquid); to submerge one's self.
  • To fall or rush headlong into some thing, action, state or condition.
  • *
    • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=8 , passage=The day was cool and snappy for August, and the Rise all green with a lavish nature. Now we plunged into a deep shade with the boughs lacing each other overhead, and crossed dainty, rustic bridges over the cold trout-streams, the boards giving back the clatter of our horses' feet:
  • *
  • (label) To pitch or throw one's self headlong or violently forward, as a horse does.
  • * (Joseph Hall) (1574-1656)
    • some wild colt, which flings and plunges
  • To bet heavily and with seeming recklessness on a race, or other contest; in an extended sense, to risk large sums in hazardous speculations.
  • To entangle or embarrass (mostly used in past participle).
  • * (Thomas Browne) (1605-1682)
    • Plunged and gravelled with three lines of Seneca.
  • To overwhelm, overpower.

    • Anagrams

    *

    References

    * * English ergative verbs

    fling

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An act of throwing, often violently.
  • An act of moving the limbs or body with violent movements, especially in a dance.
    • the fling of a horse
  • An act or period of unrestrained indulgence.
  • * D. Jerrold
    • When I was as young as you, I had my fling . I led a life of pleasure.
  • Short, often sexual relationship.
    • I had a fling with a girl I met on holiday.
  • (figuratively) An attempt, a try (as in "give it a fling" ).
  • (obsolete) A severe or contemptuous remark; an expression of sarcastic scorn; a gibe; a sarcasm.
  • * Jonathan Swift
    • I, who love to have a fling , / Both at senate house and king.
  • A kind of dance.
    • the Highland fling
  • (obsolete) A trifing matter; an object of contempt.
  • * Old proverb
    • England were but a fling / Save for the crooked stick and the grey goose wing.

    Synonyms

    * (l)

    Verb

  • To throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl.
  • * Dryden
    • 'Tis Fate that flings the dice: and, as she flings, / Of kings makes peasants, and of peasants kings.
  • * Addison
    • I know thy generous temper well. / Fling but the appearance of dishonour on it, / It straight takes fire.
  • * 2011 , Tom Fordyce, Rugby World Cup 2011: England 12-19 France [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/15210221.stm]
    • Wilkinson was struggling, sending the re-start straight into touch and flinging a pass the same way, and France then went close to the first try of the contest as Clerc took a long pass out on the left and was just bundled into touch by the corner flag.
  • (archaic) To throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste.
  • * Milton
    • And crop-full, out of doors he flings .
  • * Elizabeth Browning
    • I flung' closer to his breast, / As sword that, after battle, ' flings to sheath.
  • (archaic) To throw; to wince; to flounce.
  • * Helen Crocket, The Ettrick Shepherd's Last Tale
    • The horse flung most potently, making his heels fly aloft in the air.
  • (archaic) To utter abusive language; to sneer.
    • The scold began to flout and fling .