To Plumb the Depths (Origin)

by Craig Shrives

What Is the Origin of the Saying "To Plumb the Depths"?

To plumb the depths means to let someone or yourself down severely. It also means to explore intensely. This saying has a nautical origin. It derives from when a sailor would be required to lower a lead weight into the sea on a length of rope to determine the depth of the water. In doing so, he would be required to lower the weight to the very bottom of the sea. You are perceived as being as low as the lead weight when you let someone (or yourself) down badly. Also, extending the rope all the way to the bottom means that you have kept going until you have your answer, and this is why to plumb the depths also means to explore intensely.

Table of Contents

  • English Proverbs and Idioms Test
  • More Proverbs, Sayings, and Idioms
To Plumb the Depths (Origin)

Examples of Use:

  • Cassandra plumbed the depths of despair when her husband left her.
  • The questions this evening are plumbing the depths of stupidity.
  • I had no money for food. I looked for coins down the back of my sofa and under the seats of my car. I was really plumbing the depths.

Previous and Next Sayings

English Proverbs and Idioms Test

Ready for the Test?

More Proverbs, Sayings, and Idioms

Help Us Improve Grammar Monster

  • Do you disagree with something on this page?
  • Did you spot a typo?

Find Us Quicker!

  • When using a search engine (e.g., Google, Bing), you will find Grammar Monster quicker if you add #gm to your search term.

See Also

What are idioms? What is figurative language? A list of common grammar errors A list of easily confused words A list of sayings and proverbs