What does "take a dive" mean? Does it have a meaning of losing?
Native speaker’s answer
Rebecca
You're very close to the complete meaning. To "take a dive" means to lose intentionally. You're doing it on purpose for some personal gain of some kind. In this case, Finn is losing the card game on purpose so that Jake the Dog will not get depressed. Ex: I took a dive because I was tired of playing. Ex: She took a dive so he would not be angry with her.