put a/the plug in the jug

put a/the plug in the jug

To become permanently sober; to give up intoxicants, especially alcohol. (Alludes to plugging up a jug of an alcoholic beverage.) I've always loved my dad, but he's become a much friendlier and sympathetic person since finally putting the plug in the jug. It took me waking up in a ditch and covered in vomit to realize that I needed to put a plug in the jug for good.

See also: jug, plug, put

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