plug

To connect a machine or device to an electricity supply using its cable.

• Please plug the lamp in.
• I plugged my phone into the charger.
• Have you plugged in the computer?

How to use it: plug something in (Plug the lamp in before you switch it on.); plug something into something (He plugged the heater into the wall socket.)

Similar words: connect

Opposites: unplug

Common phrases: plug something in, plug something into

To fill a hole or opening so that nothing can pass through it.

• Plug the hole before it rains.
• She plugged the leak with a towel.
• They are plugging gaps around the window.

How to use it: plug something with something (He plugged the hole with a piece of cloth.)

Similar words: block, seal, stop up

Common phrases: plug a hole, plug a leak, plug the gap, plug the bottle

To push the connector at the end of a cable into a matching socket.

• Plug the cable into the socket.
• He plugged his headphones into the laptop.
• Have you plugged the microphone in?

How to use it: plug something into something (Plug the headphones into this socket.); plug something in (She plugged the cable in carefully.)

Similar words: connect

Opposites: disconnect

Common phrases: plug something in, plug something into

To use existing information, an idea, or a method directly, without changing it.

• Just plug in the numbers.
• We plugged last year’s results into the formula.
• Can we plug this method into our current system?

How to use it: plug something into something (We plugged last year’s figures into the new model.); plug something in (You can plug the existing method in without any changes.)

Similar words: insert, apply

Common phrases: plug in results, plug in values, plug in something

An object that fits into a hole or opening, filling or closing it.

• Put the plug in the sink.
• This rubber plug fits the opening perfectly.
• She pulled out the plug to let the bath water drain.

Similar words: stopper, bung

Common phrases: sink plug, rubber plug, bath plug, wooden plug

A firm, flat block of tobacco, usually used for chewing.

• He bought a plug of tobacco.
• The shop sold tobacco in small plugs.
• She sliced a piece off the plug for him to chew.

How to use it: a plug of tobacco (He cut a piece from a plug of tobacco.)

Common phrases: tobacco plug, plug of tobacco