nosedive

views updated May 29 2018

nose·dive / ˈnōzˌdīv/ • n. a steep downward plunge by an aircraft. ∎ fig. a sudden dramatic deterioration: the player's fortunes took a nosedive.• v. [intr.] (of an aircraft) make a nosedive. ∎ fig. deteriorate suddenly and dramatically: massive strikes caused the economy to nosedive.

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