Definition

Verb (transitive): 1. To connect an electrical device to a power source by inserting its plug into an electrical outlet. 2. To connect a device to another device or system, often to establish functionality or communication.

Usage

The verb "plug in" is used to describe the action of making a physical or sometimes metaphorical connection to enable operation. It is a separable phrasal verb (e.g., "plug the lamp in" or "plug in the lamp").

Examples

• Literal Electrical Connection:
  • Could you plug in the vacuum cleaner? (Connect the vacuum cleaner to the electrical outlet.)
  • I forgot to plug my phone in last night, so the battery is dead. (I forgot to connect my phone to the charger.)
• Device/System Connection:
  • Before the presentation, please plug in the projector to the laptop. (Connect the projector to the laptop.)
  • The technician will plug the new router in to the main network. (The technician will connect the new router.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be plugged in" (adjective phrase): To be connected to a power source or network; figuratively, to be well-informed or connected socially/professionally.

  • Make sure the amplifier is plugged in before you turn it on. (Ensure it is connected to power.)
  • As a journalist, she is plugged in to all the latest political gossip. (She is well-connected and informed.)

• "plug into": A variant often used when specifying what system or network is being connected to.

  • You need to plug the microphone into the audio interface. (Connect the microphone to the audio interface.)
  • The software allows users to plug into a vast database of information. (The software allows connection to a database.)

Variants and Related Words

• Plug (noun): A device with metal pins that connects a piece of equipment to an electricity supply.
  • The plug doesn't fit this socket.
• Plug (verb): To fill a hole tightly; to promote something persistently.
  • They used putty to plug the leak.
  • He took every opportunity to plug his new book on TV.

Synonyms

• Connect: To join two things together.
• Hook up: To connect a device (informal).
• Insert: To put something into something else (can be used for physical plugs).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Plug in/into: As defined above.
• Unplug (verb): To disconnect an electrical device by removing its plug.
  • Always unplug the toaster before cleaning it.
• Plug up (verb): To block or seal a hole.
  • We need to plug up that crack in the wall.

Related Idioms

• "Plug and play" (computing idiom): Describes a device or component that can be connected to a system and used immediately without complex setup.
  • Most modern USB drives are plug and play.
• "Pull the plug" (idiom): To stop something, often an activity or project, from continuing; to disconnect life support.
  • The investors decided to pull the plug on the failing venture. (They decided to stop funding it.)

Verb

1. plug into an outlet
   • Please plug in the toaster!
   • Connect the TV so we can watch the football game tonight