act as a plug

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "act as a plug" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that serves as a temporary solution or a substitute for something else. Example: "In the absence of a proper seal, we can use a piece of cloth to act as a plug for the leaking pipe."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This inflammatory reaction may result in a significant edema which may act as a plug limiting the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid.

Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine

SF: Hyperloop correctly notes that a capsule moving in a pipeline can act as a plug, pushing a lot of air ahead of it.

TechCrunch

It is also possible that protamine binds to a flexible loop in the RyR that modulates the ability of protamine to act as a plug within the vestibule in a voltage-dependent manner.

Plosone

Also the inhibition of the cholinergic system exerted by the Ag nanoparticles could be due to nonspecific steric competition at the level of the gorge, due to the mechanical accumulation that in some cases might act as a plug.

BioMed Research International

The increased handling time allows the clinician to leave the cement, which has filled the leak side or the paravertebral vein, to act as a plug before continuing the injection.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The presence of impermeable surface from medium cohesive silty clay acts as a plug resisting and trapping the upward flow of water during liquefaction, so fountain and spouts at weak points occurs.

Ain Shams Engineering Journal

Cork domain acts as a plug within the barrel occluding the opening of β-barrel.

BioMed Research International

The distal portion acts as a plug in the vessel wall to secure the vessel wall defect, thereby creating a safe exit strategy for the procedure.

American Journal of Transplantation

The study established that the kneading block in the screw configuration acts as a plug-flow zone inside the granulator.

European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Grokker acts as a plug-in that sits on top of a search engine and, by reading tags written into the data with the XML software language, arranges the results of a search into a ring of spheres or an array of squares labeled to show each one's relationship.

Forbes

This acts as a magnetic plug to stop particles from escaping along the axis of the device.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "act as a plug", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being blocked or sealed. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "act as a plug" when a permanent solution is required. This phrase implies a temporary fix, so it's unsuitable for describing long-term solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act as a plug" functions as a predicative expression, describing the role or function something assumes. It indicates that an entity is temporarily performing the task of blocking or sealing, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "act as a plug" is used to describe something serving as a temporary barrier or sealant. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and mostly used in science, news, and general web content. While its register is neutral, it's important to note the temporary nature of the action when using the phrase. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "serve as a sealant" or "function as a stopper".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

function as a stopper

Replaces the more technical "plug" with a simpler synonym, focusing on the action of stopping something.

serve as a sealant

Emphasizes the role of creating a tight seal, which is a key function of a plug.

work as a barrier

Highlights the function of preventing passage or leakage, similar to a plug.

serve as an obstruction

Focuses on the blocking aspect of a plug, preventing movement or flow.

act as a stopgap

Indicates a temporary solution filling a gap, akin to a plug's immediate function.

serve as a temporary fix

Underscores the short-term nature of the solution, similar to a makeshift plug.

function as a buffer

Highlights the role of cushioning or protecting, which a plug can sometimes provide.

substitute as a seal

Focuses on the act of replacing a proper seal with something acting in its place.

act as an impediment

Emphasizes the hindering or obstructive quality, similar to how a plug restricts flow.

serve as a closure

Highlights the action of closing or sealing something, similar to a plug's primary use.

FAQs

How can I use "act as a plug" in a sentence?

You can use "act as a plug" to describe something that temporarily blocks or seals an opening. For example, "The wad of paper had to "act as a plug" until we could get a proper stopper".

What are some alternatives to "act as a plug"?

Alternatives include "function as a stopper", "serve as a sealant", or "work as a barrier" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "act as a plug" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "act as a plug" might be considered informal in some contexts. Consider using a more precise term like "seal", "block", or "occlude" in formal or scientific writing depending on your intent.

What does it mean for something to "act as a plug"?

When something "acts as a plug", it is temporarily serving to block or seal something, often to prevent leakage or flow. It suggests a makeshift or stopgap solution.