be unplugged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be unplugged" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you want to convey the idea of disconnecting from technology or being free from electronic devices. Example: "After a long week, I decided to be unplugged for the weekend and enjoy nature." Alternative expressions include "disconnect" and "detached."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Can it be unplugged?

The New York Times

The computers will be unplugged and the staffers will go back to their hometowns.

The New York Times

She wants to be unplugged if it ever gets down to that.

The New Yorker

During the week I always have my fingers on a screen, so I like to be unplugged on Sunday walks.

The New York Times

The city had had to be unplugged, but -- for one brief afternoon -- I'd found my Roman New York at last.

The New York Times - Arts

If an airline closes a terminal, or if customer traffic is slow in a particular mall corridor, the machine can be unplugged and moved. 1 2 Next Page ».

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Make sure that the monitor is unplugged, and that any USB cables, Ethernet cables, speaker cables, or anything else is unplugged as well.

WikiHow

"I'm unplugged," he said.

The New Yorker

The patient was unplugged, her organs harvested.

The New York Times - Books

Attack tools were unplugged from victims' systems.

The New York Times

"I'm unplugged, unchained, unmuzzled," she said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In metaphorical contexts regarding mental health or travel, ensure the subject is clearly defined to distinguish from literal electronics.

Common error

Avoid using "be unplugged" when you mean that a device is malfunctioning or broken; the phrase specifically implies the removal of the physical or logical connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be unplugged" functions as a passive infinitive or a passive verb phrase. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often appears following modal verbs such as "can", "should" or "must". It describes the state of an object being physically separated from a power source or a network.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

21%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be unplugged" is a robust and widely used expression in contemporary English. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage spans from high-stakes medical and scientific reporting to everyday technical advice and lifestyle journalism. Whether you are providing safety instructions for a computer or describing a much-needed break from social media, "be unplugged" effectively communicates the total cessation of a connection. While it is technically a passive form, it carries a strong sense of deliberate action and intentionality in both its literal and figurative applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be disconnected

Uses a more formal term for the removal of a connection.

unplug

Shifts from the passive state to the active infinitive form.

disconnect

A direct active synonym that works well in technical contexts.

remain unplugged

Emphasizes the continuous state of being disconnected.

stay offline

Focuses on the digital or network aspect of the disconnection.

be detached

Implies a physical separation of components rather than just electrical.

be powered down

Describes the result of disconnecting but focuses on the power state.

go off-grid

A more extreme, often metaphorical version of disconnecting from society.

be shut off

Focuses on the cessation of service or power supply.

pull the plug

An idiomatic expression often used for ending a project or life support.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "be unplugged"?

Depending on your context, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/be+disconnected" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be disconnected", "<a href="/s/stay+offline" target="_blank" rel="alternative">stay offline" or simply "<a href="/s/disconnect" target="_blank" rel="alternative">disconnect".

How do you use "be unplugged" in a sentence?

You can use it literally: "The computer should "be unplugged" before cleaning." or figuratively: "I want to "be unplugged" during my vacation."

Is it correct to say "be unplugged" for a person?

Yes, it is common in modern English to use the phrase metaphorically to describe a person who is avoiding technology or the internet.

What is the difference between "be unplugged" and "be shut down"?

While "be shut down" refers to a software or system stop, to "be unplugged" specifically refers to the removal of the power source or physical connection.