dip

To tentatively begin or get involved in a new experience. Likened to gently placing one's toe into water to test its temperature. I'm terrified that people won't like my writing, but I've been dipping my toe in the water at a local writer's club to get a sense of it. I've always preferred to dive right into new experiences, rather than just dipping a toe in the water, but everyone is different, I suppose.

To tentatively begin or get involved in a new experience. Likened to gently placing one's toe into water to test its temperature. I studied graphic design in college, but I've been dipping my toe into writing fiction lately. I've always wanted to travel the world, but I've never left the US. I'll dip my toe into it this summer, though, with a short trip to Toronto.

euphemism To say something obscene. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to dip into the blue there—the whole situation just makes me so angry! Poor Bobby couldn't stop blushing after he accidentally dipped into the blue while talking to my grandparents.

potato chips, or some other kind of crisp snack food, and a sauce or dressing to dip them into before eating them. There were tons of chips and dip and all kinds of cold drinks available for everyone.

Fig. to take out part of the money one has been saving. (See also dip in(to something).) I had to dip into my savings in order to pay for my vacation. I went to the bank and dipped into savings. There wasn't much left.

to put something into a substance in order to take some of it. Tom dipped some of the bread into the cheese sauce. Dip in the bread again and get some more cheese on it.

to decline to a lower level quickly or briefly. The temperature dipped into the lower twenties overnight. The stock market dipped to a very low level during the day Friday.

to swim naked. The boys were skinny-dipping in the creek when Bob's mother drove up.

to use a small amount of something The local government voted to dip into the emergency fund to pay for repairing the old town hall.

the activity of receiving money from two different places or two different jobs, often when it is not honest or legal The government has introduced tighter rules on employees' pensions to discourage double-dipping. (American)

to use your own money to pay for something Parents of young children have to dig deep into their pockets at Christmas-time.

Also, chip'n dip. A snack food or an appetizer consisting of potato chips, crackers, or raw vegetables (like carrot sticks) that are used to scoop up a dip, a savory creamy mixture. For example, There wasn't much to eat; all they served was a chip and dip. The term is also used for the utensils employed for this dish-a plate for the crackers and a small bowl for the dip. [Mid-1900s]

Also, get one's toes into or wet . Begin to do something novel or unfamiliar, as in I have been dipping my toes into Asian cooking, or She's eager to go to Europe and has been getting her toes wet by getting travel information. [Late 1900s] Also see get one's feet wet.