plug-ugly

/'plʌg,ʌgli/

Thân thiện

A plug-ugly loiters menacingly on a dimly lit street corner.

Definition

Noun: A plug-ugly is a person, typically a man, who is a bully or a ruffian, especially one who intimidates or preys upon people who are weaker.

Usage

The term "plug-ugly" is used to describe a violent, thuggish, and often intimidating individual. It is an informal, somewhat dated slang term, often with historical connotations of urban gang members.

Examples

• The bar owner hired a couple of plug-uglies to stand at the door and discourage trouble.
• In the old neighborhood, everyone knew to avoid the alley where the local plug-uglies gathered.
• He wasn't just rude; he was a genuine plug-ugly who enjoyed pushing people around.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used attributively (like an adjective) before another noun.
  • The politician was surrounded by plug-ugly bodyguards.

Variants and Related Words

• Plug-uglies (plural noun): The collective term for such individuals, famously used as the name for a 19th-century Baltimore street gang.

Synonyms

• Bully
• Ruffian
• Thug
• Hooligan
• Tough
• Goon

Antonyms

• Protector
• Guardian
• Peacemaker

Related Idioms/Phrases

• To strong-arm: To use force or threats, a behavior characteristic of a plug-ugly.
  • They tried to strong-arm him into signing the contract.

Học thuật

Noun

1. someone who bullies weaker people

Từ đồng nghĩa

• tough guy