plugging
plugging — verb
- pluggingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- pluggings3rd person singular
- plugginging-ing form
- pluggingedpast simple
1. to connect a piece of electrical equipment to a power supply or to another devic
to connect a piece of electrical equipment to a power supply or to another device by pushing its plug into a socket
Camille plugged her laptop into the wall socket just as the battery warning appeared.
plug + device + into + socket (power connection)
Ezra is plugging the printer cable into the back of the computer for the office to use.
Before you start the game, make sure the controller is plugged into the front USB port.
The old lamp stopped working because nobody had plugged it in properly after the move.
- unplug
to disconnect a device by removing its plug from a socket
- disconnect
general term for separating a connection
文法句型
plug + noun (device) + in
plug + noun (device) + into + noun (socket / port)
plug in + noun
用法筆記
Often used with the particles 'in' or 'into'. 'Plug in' can be separable: 'Plug the kettle in' or 'Plug in the kettle' are both correct.
常見錯誤
2. to fill or close a hole, gap, or leak by putting something into it, or to become
to fill or close a hole, gap, or leak by putting something into it, or to become blocked in this way
Sahil grabbed a rag and plugged the burst pipe before water flooded the kitchen.
plug + hole/pipe (transitive, physical)
The sink drain keeps plugging with leftover rice and oil no matter how careful Omar is.
The dentist plugged the small hole in Tuan's back tooth with a white resin filling.
A wad of gum plugged the air vent on the car dashboard, and warm air stopped flowing into the cabin.
文法句型
plug + noun (hole / leak / gap)
become / get plugged
plug up + noun
用法筆記
Can be used both transitively (someone plugs a hole) and intransitively (a pipe plugs up). The intransitive use often appears with 'up': 'The drain plugged up.'
常見錯誤
3. to continue doing something with steady effort and determination, especially whe
to continue doing something with steady effort and determination, especially when it is difficult or takes a long time
Adaeze has been plugging away at her chemistry textbook every evening for three weeks now.
plug away at + task (steady effort pattern)
Eric kept plugging through the long report even though his eyes were tired from the tiny print.
plug through + noun (perseverance pattern)
The construction crew plugged along with the roof repairs while rain leaked through the torn tarps.
Adina plugged away at the crossword puzzle until she had filled every single square.
- persevere
more formal; plug away is informal and suggests a slow, steady pace
- grind through
suggests more difficulty and reluctance; plug away is more neutral and determined
- keep at
phrasal verb with similar meaning, slightly less specific about the effort involved
文法句型
plug away at + noun (task / work)
plug through + noun (book / project)
plug along
用法筆記
Nearly always appears with a particle: 'plug away at', 'plug through', or 'plug along'. The core meaning is persevering through difficulty, not just working.
4. to mention or praise a product, film, book, or event repeatedly on television, r
to mention or praise a product, film, book, or event repeatedly on television, radio, or social media so that people will buy it, watch it, or go to it
The author spent the morning on the radio, plugging her new novel set in Taipei.
plug + product (novel) in media context
Adina kept plugging her friend's ramen shop during every YouTube video she posted.
The talk-show host spent five minutes plugging a new brand of noodles on live TV.
The film director appeared on three different podcasts, plugging his latest documentary about ocean pollution.
文法句型
plug + noun (product / event / person)
用法筆記
Frequently used in entertainment and media contexts. The person doing the plugging usually has a public platform such as a show or social media channel.
常見錯誤
5. to hit a person with a bullet from a firearm, typically in a sudden act of viole
to hit a person with a bullet from a firearm, typically in a sudden act of violence or during a crime
In the crime drama, a masked figure plugged the guard before running off with the cash.
slang register: 'plugged' for 'shot' in crime context
In the western novel, a stranger in black plugs the sheriff during a gunfight at high noon.
A witness told the police that two men plugged the driver from a dark car by the station.
The video game's final scene shows the hero getting plugged just before the building explodes.
文法句型
plug + person
用法筆記
This is slang and sounds informal or old-fashioned. Used mainly in crime fiction, action movies, and westerns rather than in news reports or formal speech.
plugging — noun
1. the part at the end of an electrical cable with metal pins that fit into a wall
the part at the end of an electrical cable with metal pins that fit into a wall socket to carry power to a device such as a lamp or a phone charger.
Adina pulled the plug out of the socket before cleaning the kitchen mixer.
collocation: pull the plug (out of a socket)
Tuan bought a new plug for his laptop charger after the cable broke near the pins.
The plug on Tuan's old radio had two pins, so he needed an adaptor for the new socket.
Ezra could not fit the British plug into the Thai wall socket without an adaptor.
Camille checked that the plug was firmly pushed in before turning on the printer.
- socket
the wall opening that receives the plug, not the device itself
文法句型
plug + into + socket
用法筆記
Countable noun. Frequently paired with 'pull out', 'push in', or 'fit into' to describe the action of connecting or disconnecting.
常見錯誤
2. a device fixed in a wall that you push a plug into in order to connect electrica
a device fixed in a wall that you push a plug into in order to connect electrical equipment to the power supply.
Camille pointed to the plug behind the sofa and asked Ezra to unplug the lamp before leaving.
variety note: British English — 'plug' means wall socket; US English uses 'outlet'
The plug above the kitchen counter let Sahil cook rice without stretching the cord across the stove.
The hotel room had a plug near each bed for charging mobile phones overnight.
Eric asked the landlord to fix the loose plug in the bedroom wall before his parents came to visit.
Adaeze covered the unused plug with a safety cap to protect her toddler.
文法句型
plug (socket) + in/on + wall
用法筆記
This British English sense uses 'plug' to mean the wall socket or outlet. In American English this is called an 'outlet' or 'receptacle', while 'plug' refers only to the device on the wire (sense 1). In Taiwan, both '插座' and '插頭' are clearly distinguished, so learners should note this British quirk.
常見錯誤
3. the thin metal part at the tip of a cable that fits into a matching hole to link
the thin metal part at the tip of a cable that fits into a matching hole to link two devices, for example headphones and a music player.
Eric attached the audio plug from his phone to the back of the speaker system before testing the sound.
pattern: audio plug + attach to + device
The headphone plug has a thin metal tip that fits most mobile phones and tablets.
Omar found the video cable plug from his DVD player did not fit the port on the new television.
Tuan wiggled the microphone plug in the amplifier until the crackling noise stopped and the sound was clear.
Adina bought a cable with a right-angled plug so she could push her desk flat against the wall.
- jack
commonly used for audio connectors; 'jack' can also mean the receiving socket
- connector pin
technical term for the metal part that makes contact
文法句型
plug + on + device
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (electrical plug for mains power). This sense refers to smaller signal connectors for audio, video, or data — often called a 'jack plug' or 'phone connector'. Typically 3.5 mm or 6.35 mm in diameter.
4. an engine part that creates an electric spark to ignite the fuel and start a veh
an engine part that creates an electric spark to ignite the fuel and start a vehicle moving.
The mechanic told Adaeze that the plugs in her car engine needed replacing after sixty thousand kilometres.
collocation: replace the plugs (in an engine)
A dirty spark plug can cause the engine to shake or lose power when driving uphill.
Omar checked each plug in his motorcycle engine and cleaned off the black carbon dust.
Sahil bought a set of four new spark plugs for his pickup truck before the long drive to the coast.
Ezra watched a video on how to change a spark plug before trying it on his own car.
- spark plug
the full, formal term for this engine part
用法筆記
Shortened form of 'spark plug'. Almost always used in the context of petrol/gasoline engines. The plural 'plugs' often refers to all spark plugs in an engine (typically four, six, or eight).
5. an object made of rubber, wood, or plastic that you push into an opening to seal
an object made of rubber, wood, or plastic that you push into an opening to seal it shut or stop a leak.
Ezra pushed a rubber plug into the hole in the gas tank to stop the leak.
pattern: rubber plug + push into + hole (to stop a leak)
The wooden plug in the old wine barrel had dried out and no longer kept the liquid inside.
Camille used a small plastic plug to block the extra screw hole in the cabinet she assembled.
Eric carved a wooden plug to seal the hole left by the old water pipe in the basement.
Adina carved a cork plug to fit the narrow mouth of the antique bottle.
文法句型
plug + in + hole
plug + for + container
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 7 (wall plug for screws — a small plastic insert that holds a screw in plaster) and sense 8 (a soft cotton/gauze plug for medical use). This sense is the general-purpose stopper for any kind of hole or opening.
6. a round stopper made from a soft material such as rubber; it seals the drain ope
a round stopper made from a soft material such as rubber; it seals the drain opening of a washbasin or bathtub so water stays inside for washing.
Adina put the plug in the bathroom sink before adding hot water to wash her face.
pattern: put the plug in + sink/bath + to hold water
The chain on the bathtub plug snapped, so Tuan reached into the water to pull it out.
Sahil forgot to close the kitchen sink plug and lost the soapy water down the drain.
Omar bought a new rubber plug for the bathroom sink because the old one let water drain out.
Adaeze pulled the plug from the tub and watched the bath water swirl away.
- drain stopper
more specific term for sink/bath plugs
- bath plug
common British term for this object
文法句型
plug + in + sink/bath
用法筆記
Often attached to a short chain or knob for easy removal. In many modern sinks, the plug is built into the drain mechanism and operated by a lever rather than a separate piece.
常見錯誤
7. a plastic or wooden tube that fits inside a hole drilled in a wall and keeps a s
a plastic or wooden tube that fits inside a hole drilled in a wall and keeps a screw securely in place.
Adina bought wall plugs to hang a new shelf in her living room.
wall plug for hanging shelves and furniture
Eric pushed the plastic plug into the hole before turning the screw with his drill.
push plug in hole, then turn screw
The wooden wall plug came loose, so Omar replaced it with a plastic one to hold the mirror securely.
The heavy mirror needed two strong plugs to stay safely on the wall.
- rawl plug
brand name commonly used in British English for the same item
- wall anchor
broader term that includes metal versions for heavier loads
8. a small mass of soft fabric, like cotton or gauze, used to block a wound or open
a small mass of soft fabric, like cotton or gauze, used to block a wound or opening and stop the flow of blood or other liquid.
The nurse pressed a cotton plug firmly against Tuan's cut to stop the bleeding.
cotton plug pressed against wound to stop bleeding
Camille placed a gauze plug in the wound opening before walking to the hospital for stitches.
After the dentist extracted the tooth, he put a cotton plug in Sahil's mouth.
Tara changed the cotton plug in the wound each day to keep the area clean.
用法筆記
Often used in medical or dental contexts. The material (cotton, gauze) is typically specified alongside 'plug'.
9. a public mention or recommendation of a product, event, or service, usually give
a public mention or recommendation of a product, event, or service, usually given during a broadcast, interview, or online post to attract attention and increase sales.
During the interview, the singer gave a quick plug for her new album.
give a plug for [product] in an interview
Ezra's blog post ended with a short plug for a local restaurant.
The talk show host let the author make a quick plug for his latest book.
Anya gave a friendly plug to the new sushi café when a coworker asked for a lunch spot.
- promotion
more formal and general; promotion can refer to any marketing effort
- mention
neutral; a mention does not necessarily imply praise or recommendation
- endorsement
more formal and stronger; implies a public statement of approval or support
- shout-out
very informal; often used in social media for a brief public acknowledgement
用法筆記
Common in informal media contexts. A 'plug' is usually brief and delivered in a casual tone, unlike formal advertising.
常見錯誤
10. a pipe that sticks up from the ground at the side of a street and supplies water
a pipe that sticks up from the ground at the side of a street and supplies water for fighting fires through a hose attached to it.
Adaeze watched firefighters stop next to a red plug on the corner and connect their hose to it.
fire truck next to a red plug / fire hydrant
Children played in water spraying from an open fire plug on a hot day.
Hyun noticed a bright red fire plug on every block during his walk to the subway station.
The city fire department checks every fire plug twice a year to make sure the water flows properly.
- fire hydrant
the standard term across all varieties of English
- fireplug
less common synonym, used mainly in the US
- hydrant
shorter form, common in both everyday and official use
用法筆記
Also called 'fireplug' or 'hydrant'. 'Plug' alone for this sense is more common in American English than British English.
11. a firm, flat piece of pressed tobacco leaves that is chewed rather than smoked.
a firm, flat piece of pressed tobacco leaves that is chewed rather than smoked.
The farmer took a plug of tobacco and put it in his mouth.
plug of tobacco for chewing
An older farmer on the train shared his plug of tobacco with Bilal and showed him how to chew it.
Darius bought a fresh plug of tobacco at the country store and unwrapped it on the walk home.
Femi unwrapped the foil from the tobacco plug and put it in his cheek.