plug

(I'm) (just) plugging along.

Inf. I am doing satisfactorily.; I am just managing to function. Bill: How are things going? Bob: I'm just plugging along. Sue: How are you doing, Fred? Fred: Just plugging along, thanks. And you? Sue: About the same.

See also: along

plug (oneself) in (to something)

to become attached to something; to become attached to some sort of network or system. As soon as I have plugged my laptop into the local network, I will have access to the Internet. I plugged myself into the computer network and began to communicate quickly and efficiently.

plug something into something (and plug something in)

to connect something to something else, usually by connecting wires together with a plug and socket. Plug this end of the wire into the wall. Plug in the lamp and turn it on.

plug something up

to stop or fill up a hole, crack, or gap. Take out the nail and plug the hole up with something. You have to plug up the cracks to keep out the cold.

See also: up

plug away (at something) and peg away (at something)

to keep trying something; to keep working at something. John kept pegging away at the trumpet until he became pretty good at it. I'm not very good at it, but I keep plugging away.

See also: away

pull the plug (on someone)

1. Lit. to turn off someone's life-support system in a hospital. (Based on pull the plug (on something) {2}. This results in the death of the person whose life support has been terminated.) They had to get a court order to pull the plug on their father. Fred signed a living will making it possible to pull the plug on him without a court order.

2. Fig. to put an end to someone's activities or plans. (Based on pull the plug (on something) {2}.) The mayor was doing a fine job until the treasurer pulled the plug on him. David pulled the plug on Fred, who was taking too long with the project.

See also: pull

pull the plug (on something)

1. Lit. to terminate the functions of something by pulling a connector from a socket. While she was working at the computer, I accidentally pulled the plug. I pulled the plug on the vacuum because the switch was broken.

2. Fig. to reduce the power or effectiveness of something; to disable something. Jane pulled the plug on the whole project. The treasurer pulled the plug because there was no more money in the budget.

See also: pull

put a plug in (for someone or something)

to say something favoring someone or something; to advertise someone or something. I hope that when you are in talking to the manager, you put a plug in for me. I could use some help. While you're there, put in a plug.

See also: put

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a spark plug  (American informal)

a person with a lot of energy and ideas who encourages the other people in a group The school's new principal is the spark plug in a team that includes parents, teachers and community.

See also: spark

pull the plug

to do something which prevents an activity from continuing, especially to stop giving money (often + on ) If the viewing figures drop much further, the TV company will pull the plug on the whole series.

See also: pull

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plug away (at something)

to keep working in a determined way He's experienced plenty of hard times, but Ed is still plugging away, playing several nights a week at a local jazz club. The powerful computer was plugging away at the problem for weeks.

See also: away

pull the plug (on something)

to stop something from continuing The judge is threatening to pull the plug on TV coverage of the trial.

See also: pull