plug
/plʌɡ/ (bre, ipa) · /plʌɡ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpləg/ (ame, mw)
plug — 名詞
- plugsingular
- plugsplural
1. the part on the end of an electrical lead that you push into a wall socket to gi
插頭
接電用的插入端
the part on the end of an electrical lead that you push into a wall socket to give a machine power.
Mina pulled the plug from the wall before cleaning the toaster.
Mina 清理烤麵包機前,先把插頭從牆上拔掉。
pull the plug from the wall
The baby monitor has a white plug with three metal pins.
這台嬰兒監視器有一個白色插頭,上面有三根金屬腳。
three-pin plug
Dad checked the plug on the lamp after the kitchen lights failed.
廚房跳電後,爸爸先檢查那盞燈的插頭。
At the hotel, Ken needed an adaptor because his plug was wider.
在旅館裡,Ken 因為自己的插頭比較寬,所以需要轉接頭。
- power plug
clearer when the connection is specifically for electricity
- mains plug
common in British English for a household electrical plug
- connector
broader word that can also include non-electrical joining parts
文法句型
plug for [appliance]
three-pin plug
pull out the plug
用法筆記
Usually the removable piece attached to an appliance or charger lead. Distinguish from sense 2, which names the wall fitting it goes into.
常見錯誤
2. the engine part that makes a spark to light the fuel in a motor.
火星塞
引擎內點火的零件
the engine part that makes a spark to light the fuel in a motor.
The mechanic changed a dirty plug before the race began.
比賽開始前,修車師先換掉一個髒掉的火星塞。
plug = spark plug
Oil on the plug made the old motor hard to start.
火星塞上的油,讓那台老馬達很難發動。
Grandpa keeps a spare plug beside the wrench for roadside engine trouble.
爺爺把備用火星塞放在扳手旁邊,備著路上引擎出問題時用。
The bike engine coughed until Sara replaced the broken plug.
Sara 換掉壞掉的火星塞前,那台機車引擎一直咳咳作響。
- spark plug
the full and standard term
- ignition plug
less common and more technical
文法句型
change a plug
dirty plug
spare plug
用法筆記
This short form works when the engine context is already obvious. In careful writing, 'spark plug' is usually clearer.
常見錯誤
3. a small object pushed into an opening to block it.
塞子
塞住孔洞的小物件
a small object pushed into an opening to block it.
Nora pressed a rubber plug into the hole in the bucket.
Nora 把一個橡膠塞子壓進桶子的洞裡。
rubber plug
A wooden plug stopped rain from dripping through the boat floor.
一個木頭塞子擋住了從船底滴進來的雨水。
wooden plug
The baker used a cork plug to close the oil bottle.
那位麵包師傅用軟木塞子把油瓶口塞住。
Without the plug, paint leaked from the side of the can.
沒有那個塞子,油漆就從罐子側邊漏出來了。
文法句型
plug a hole
rubber plug
wooden plug
用法筆記
Often made of rubber, wood, cork, or plastic, and used to close a hole in a container or surface. Distinguish from sense 6, which is specifically the stopper for a sink or bath.
常見錯誤
4. the stopper used to keep water in a bath or a sink.
排水塞
水槽或浴缸的塞子
the stopper used to keep water in a bath or a sink.
Ella pulled the plug, and the bath water rushed away.
Ella 一拉開排水塞,浴缸裡的水就沖走了。
pull the plug
Soap was stuck under the plug in the kitchen sink.
廚房水槽裡的排水塞下面卡著肥皂。
sink plug
After washing rice, Ben forgot to put the sink plug back.
洗完米後,Ben 忘了把水槽的排水塞放回去。
The hotel bath plug would not seal, so water kept falling.
旅館浴缸的排水塞封不住,所以水一直往下流。
- drain stopper
clearer term that names its function directly
- bath plug
used when the stopper is in a bathtub
- sink stopper
used when the stopper is in a sink
文法句型
pull the plug
bath plug
sink plug
用法筆記
Most often used with sinks and baths, especially with verbs like 'pull', 'remove', and 'put back'. Distinguish from sense 5, which can block many different kinds of openings.
常見錯誤
5. a short public mention meant to make people notice and like a product, event, or
宣傳;曝光
替產品活動公開打廣告
a short public mention meant to make people notice and like a product, event, or person.
The host gave our cafe a plug on the morning radio show.
主持人在晨間廣播節目裡替我們的咖啡館做了宣傳。
give something a plug
One newspaper plug filled the bakery with new customers.
報紙上的一次曝光,就替那家麵包店帶來了新客人。
Her video review was a free plug for the local museum.
她的影片評論等於替當地博物館做了免費宣傳。
The actor slipped in a plug for his new film.
那位演員順口替自己的新片打了一下廣告。
- promotion
broader word for trying to increase interest or sales
- publicity
broader and more neutral; it does not always mean one short mention
- endorsement
stronger because it suggests clear support or approval
- mention
neutral basic word; it does not itself imply promotion
- criticism
negative public comments that hurt interest instead of helping it
文法句型
give something a plug
get a plug on [radio/show]
slip in a plug for [thing]
用法筆記
Often follows verbs such as 'give', 'get', or 'slip in'. It usually means a brief bit of promotion inside a show, article, or conversation, not a full advertisement campaign.
常見錯誤
6. a wall socket for electricity, especially in British English.
插座
英式口語,指牆上電源孔
a wall socket for electricity, especially in British English.
There is a plug beside the sofa, so charge your phone there.
沙發旁邊有一個插座,所以你在那裡幫手機充電吧。
plug = wall socket in British English
The hair dryer would not reach the plug near the mirror.
吹風機的線搆不到鏡子旁邊的插座。
A loose plug in the hallway made the vacuum stop twice.
走廊上一個鬆掉的插座,讓吸塵器停了兩次。
Please ask the hotel for another room with a bedside plug.
請跟旅館再要一間有床邊插座的房間。
- socket
the most common everyday word for this meaning
- outlet
more common in American English
- wall socket
fuller term that avoids ambiguity with sense 1
文法句型
plug by the bed
plug near the mirror
bedside plug
用法筆記
British English sometimes shortens 'plug socket' to 'plug'. Distinguish from sense 1, the piece you insert, and sense 7, which is a wall insert for screws.
常見錯誤
7. the metal-ended piece on a cable that fits into another device so the cable can
接頭
線材末端的金屬接頭
the metal-ended piece on a cable that fits into another device so the cable can carry power or sound.
Push the guitar plug firmly into the speaker before the show.
表演前,先把吉他的接頭穩穩插進喇叭裡。
plug into another device
One plug on the game cable was bent after the move.
搬家後,那條遊戲線上的一個接頭彎掉了。
plug on a cable
Lena swapped the old plug for a smaller one on the charger wire.
Lena 把充電線上的舊接頭換成比較小的一個。
The sound came back when Raj cleaned the plug with a dry cloth.
Raj 用乾布擦過接頭後,聲音就回來了。
文法句型
plug into the speaker
plug on a cable
clean the plug
用法筆記
Often used for audio, video, or charging leads joining one device to another, not mainly for the wall power connection in sense 1.
常見錯誤
8. a short plastic or wooden sleeve set in a drilled wall hole to grip a screw.
壁虎
鎖螺絲前塞入牆孔的套管
a short plastic or wooden sleeve set in a drilled wall hole to grip a screw.
Dad tapped a plug into the wall before fixing the shelf.
爸爸先把壁虎敲進牆裡,才開始固定架子。
plug into the wall before a screw
The worker drilled two holes and pushed plugs into the brick.
工人鑽了兩個洞,再把壁虎塞進磚牆裡。
We could not hang the mirror because the old plug was loose.
我們掛不上那面鏡子,因為舊壁虎已經鬆了。
Each curtain rail kit includes screws, plugs, and a small drill guide.
這組窗簾軌道工具包裡有螺絲、壁虎和一個小鑽孔定位器。
- wall anchor
the clearest general term for this hardware part
- anchor
shorter hardware term; the wall context is often understood
- dowel
used in some varieties for a similar piece fixed in a wall
文法句型
put a plug into the wall
a screw and plug
drill a hole for a plug
用法筆記
Usually appears with walls, drills, and screws. Distinguish from sense 5, which closes a hole, and sense 6, which is the stopper for a sink or bath.
常見錯誤
9. a tiny plant growing in a small block of soil, sold before it is planted out.
小苗
帶土出售的幼小植株
a tiny plant growing in a small block of soil, sold before it is planted out.
The market sold tomato plugs beside bags of garden soil.
市場裡在賣番茄小苗,旁邊還放著一袋袋園藝土。
tomato plugs
Mina planted lettuce plugs in long rows after the rain.
下雨後,Mina 把萵苣小苗一排排種進土裡。
These basil plugs need sun and water before they grow fast.
這些九層塔小苗在長快以前需要陽光和水。
The farmer bought two trays of onion plugs for spring planting.
那位農夫買了兩盤洋蔥小苗,準備春天種下去。
- seedling
the broad everyday word for a very young plant
- starter plant
explains that the plant is ready to be grown on
- transplant
stresses that it will be moved to another place for full growth
- seed
an earlier stage before the young plant has started growing
文法句型
tomato plugs
a tray of plugs
plant out plugs
用法筆記
Common in gardening shops and seed catalogs, often with plant names or trays. It means a starter plant, not the empty cell or the soil by itself.
常見錯誤
10. a tight little mass of soft material rolled together to block a small opening.
棉塞;塞團
塞住小孔的緊實材料
a tight little mass of soft material rolled together to block a small opening.
The nurse packed a cotton plug into Ben's nose to stop the bleeding.
護理師把棉塞塞進 Ben 的鼻孔裡止血。
soft wad packed into an opening
Grandpa used a paper plug to stop dust entering the pipe.
爺爺用紙塞團堵住管子,免得灰塵跑進去。
A small wool plug kept the cold air out of the keyhole.
一個小羊毛塞團把冷風擋在鑰匙孔外面。
The dentist placed a gauze plug after pulling Mia's tooth.
牙醫拔掉 Mia 的牙後,放了一個紗布棉塞。
文法句型
a cotton plug
put a plug in [opening]
remove the plug
用法筆記
The material is usually soft, such as cotton, wool, paper, or gauze. Distinguish from senses 5 to 7, where the plug is a shaped solid object.
plug — 動詞
- plugpresent simple I / you / we / they
- plugshe / she / it
- pluggedpast simple
- plugging-ing form
1. to keep praising a product, event, or person in public so that more people notic
宣傳;力推
反覆稱讚某物來吸引注意或購買
to keep praising a product, event, or person in public so that more people notice it or want it.
The singer plugged her new album on three morning radio shows.
那位歌手在三個晨間廣播節目上宣傳她的新專輯。
plug + item on media program
During the interview, Ben kept plugging his travel podcast.
訪談期間,Ben 一直在力推他的旅遊 podcast。
informal promotion in conversation or media
Our coach plugged the school play before the basketball game started.
我們的教練在籃球賽開始前宣傳了學校的舞台劇。
Between songs, the host plugged two local restaurants downtown.
播歌間,主持人宣傳了市中心兩家在地餐廳。
文法句型
plug + [product/show/person]
plug + [something] on + [radio/TV/show]
用法筆記
Almost always takes a direct object naming the thing being promoted. Common with media contexts such as interviews, radio shows, podcasts, and stage appearances.
常見錯誤
2. to close an opening by pushing in something that fits tightly.
塞住;堵住
用材料把洞口緊緊封住
to close an opening by pushing in something that fits tightly.
Dad plugged the nail hole with white putty before painting.
爸爸在上漆前先用白色填縫料塞住了釘孔。
plug + opening + with + material
The boys plugged the leak with an old T-shirt.
那些男孩用一件舊 T 恤堵住了漏水處。
Sofia plugged the drain with a rubber stopper before washing sweaters.
Sofia 在洗毛衣前先用橡膠塞把排水口塞住了。
Workers plugged cracks in the wall before the winter rain.
工人們在冬雨來臨前堵住了牆上的裂縫。
- open
to uncover or make the hole accessible again
文法句型
plug + [hole/leak/crack] + with + [material]
用法筆記
Usually followed by 'with' plus the material used to seal the space. Distinguish from sense 4, which is about fixing an abstract lack such as a gap or shortage.
常見錯誤
3. to provide what is lacking so that a problem, shortage, or weak point is reduced
補足;填補
補上原本缺少的部分
to provide what is lacking so that a problem, shortage, or weak point is reduced.
The charity hopes to plug the food gap during school holidays.
那個慈善團體希望在學校放假期間補足食物缺口。
figurative: plug + gap / shortage / hole
Extra nurses were hired to plug staff shortages this winter.
今年冬天另外聘了幾位護理師來填補人力短缺。
plug + shortage with added support
The loan plugged a hole in the family budget.
那筆貸款填補了家裡預算上的缺口。
Weekend buses plug the transport gap between the village and town.
週末公車補足了村莊與城鎮之間的交通缺口。
- fill
the broad everyday verb; less figurative in tone
- remedy
more formal; focuses on correcting a problem
- make up for
phrase meaning to supply what is lacking or lost
- worsen
to make the shortage or weak point more serious
文法句型
plug + [gap/shortage/hole]
plug a hole in + [budget/plan/system]
用法筆記
Usually takes abstract nouns such as 'gap', 'shortage', or 'hole in the budget'. Distinguish from sense 3, where an actual physical opening is filled.
常見錯誤
4. to hit someone with a bullet by firing a gun at them.
槍擊
用槍射中某人
to hit someone with a bullet by firing a gun at them.
A guard plugged the robber in the leg outside the bank.
一名警衛在銀行外槍擊了那名搶匪的腿。
informal: plug + person + in + body part
In the old movie, the sheriff plugged two bandits.
在那部老電影裡,警長槍擊了兩名土匪。
plug + person as direct object
Police said the driver was plugged during the night chase.
警方表示,那名司機在夜間追逐時遭到槍擊。
The gangster tried to plug his rival across the pool hall.
那名幫派分子試圖隔著撞球館槍擊他的對頭。
- miss
to fail to hit the target
文法句型
plug + [person]
be plugged in + [body part]
用法筆記
Mostly found in informal American English, especially crime stories and action films. Unlike ordinary 'shoot', this word sounds slangy and often rough or dramatic.