# plug

/ˈpɫəɡ/ (US) · /plˈʌɡ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/plug
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. electrical connector

noun · CEFR A2

the plastic part at the end of a wire that you push into a wall to get electricity.

For teachers: a pronged device attached to an electrical cord that fits into a socket to establish a circuit.

- The lamp won't turn on because the plug is loose in the wall.
- Most modern appliances are fitted with a moulded plug that cannot be easily opened for repair without specialized tools.

### 2. a stopper

noun · CEFR A2

an object used to block a hole, like the one in a bathtub or sink.

For teachers: a piece of material used to stop or fill a hole or cavity.

- Pull the plug out of the bath so the water can drain away.
- The plumber inserted a rubber plug into the pipe to prevent any further leakage while he replaced the main valve.

### 3. promotion

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a mention of a product or book to help sell it, often during an interview.

For teachers: a piece of publicity or a favourable mention of a product, service, or event.

- The actor gave a quick plug for his new movie at the end of the show.
- The author managed to weave a subtle plug for her upcoming memoir into the final minutes of the radio interview.

### 4. drug dealer

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang

a person who sells illegal drugs.

For teachers: a supplier of illicit substances.

- He was looking for a new plug after his old one moved away.
- The investigation focused on identifying the primary plug responsible for distributing the narcotics throughout the suburban district.

### 5. to block a hole

verb · CEFR B1

to fill a hole so that nothing can get through.

For teachers: to stop or close a hole or gap by inserting a plug.

- You can use some mud to plug the small holes in the wall.
- The engineers worked through the night to plug the breach in the dam before the rising river levels caused a total collapse.

### 6. to promote

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to talk about something in public to help it become popular or sell.

For teachers: to promote a product or service, often through repeated mentions in media.

- She went on the talk show to plug her latest book.
- The celebrity was criticized for using his social media platform to plug expensive supplements without disclosing his financial interest in the company.

### 7. to work hard

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to keep working hard at something that is difficult or boring.

For teachers: to persist or continue steadily with a task; usually used with 'away'.

- If you keep plugging away at your piano practice, you will improve.
- Despite the lack of immediate results, the research team continued to plug away at the data until they finally identified a pattern.

Usage: Usually takes the particle 'away' followed by 'at'.

## Examples

- I need to find a plug for my phone charger.
- The sink was full of water because the plug was firmly in place.
- During the interview, the author managed to give a quick plug for her upcoming novel, mentioning the release date twice.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.