swan dive

¹

noun

, Diving.

1. a forward dive in which the diver while in the air assumes a position with the arms outstretched at shoulder height and the legs straight and together, and enters the water with the arms stretched above the head.

swan-dive

²

[ swon-dahyv ]

verb (used without object)

, swan-dived, swan-div·ing.

1. to perform a swan dive.
2. to decrease suddenly and decisively; plummet:

   Stock prices swan-dived overnight.

swan dive

noun

1. a type of dive in which the diver arches back while in the air, keeping his legs straight and together and his arms outstretched, finally entering the water headfirst Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)swallow dive

Word History and Origins

Origin of swan dive¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The Memphis metropolitan daily, the aptly named Commercial Appeal, took a swan dive on the story.

From The Daily Beast

The only thing we can be sure of is that what little credibility Congress has left took a swan dive on Friday.

From The Daily Beast

The mechanic seemed to do a beautiful swan dive through the flame-tinted air for a moment.

From Project Gutenberg

And come he did, in a swan dive that was almost professional and that brought handclapping approval from the girls.

From Project Gutenberg

Ray climbed up on the rail, poised there a second, then attempted a swan dive.

From Project Gutenberg

Some white man must have taught him, for he made the proper swan dive and did it as beautifully as I have ever seen it.

From Project Gutenberg

Ten seconds later, as the lapping waves reached for her, she did a sort of swan dive and landed flat with the raft beneath her.

From Project Gutenberg