Nosedive

Posted by: Josef Essberger

You may have seen those scary headlines in financial papers, or on TV: “Markets nosedive” What does “nosedive” mean? These two pictures should make it clear. The first one shows an aircraft nosediving. The second one is a chart of a stock that opened at $90 at 9am and then nosedived between 3pm and 4pm […]

You may have seen those scary headlines in financial papers, or on TV: “Markets nosedive”

What does “nosedive” mean? These two pictures should make it clear. The first one shows an aircraft nosediving. The second one is a chart of a stock that opened at $90 at 9am and then nosedived between 3pm and 4pm to finish at $30.

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Posted by Josef Essberger October 2008

Contributor: Josef Essberger, founder of EnglishClub. Originally from London, England, Josef is the author of several books for learners of English including English Prepositions List and Learn English in 7.

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4 comments

• Anushka says:
  

  Thank you!

• Linda k (Hollywood) says:
  

  Hi Everyone
  Nosedive(n) A very steep of an aircraft.
  A sudden,swift drop or plunge: A sudden sharp drop
  or rapid decline, “Stock prices took a nosedive”

  Good luck
  Linda K (Hollywood)

• Joe says:
  

  Yes, Hanane, something that drops steeply, and fast. Another word for the same action is: “plunge”

  Their operating profits plunged 40%.

• hanane says:
  

  Hello Dear Joe,
  thank you for enriching our vocabulary. So, nosedive refers to something that is getting lower or smaller or to something that drops steeply.
  Regards