plug away

USAGE SUMMARY

"plug away" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe a persistence in completing something, usually after a period of difficulty. Example sentence: Despite the setbacks, they kept plugging away at the project until they achieved success.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

So, yep, plug away.

The Guardian - Sport

He deserves credit for continuing to plug away.

The Guardian

Others — among them, Bartle Bogle Hegarty, Cramer-Krasselt, Mother and Wieden & Kennedy — continue to plug away.

The New York Times

Some could manage that quite early; others may have to plug away until they leave school.

The Economist

While the chickens vacation, their owners plug away at their careers.

The New York Times

He continues to plug away in his role as sounding board for his protégés.

The New York Times

"I was just trying to plug away and maintain my lead for the whole day.

The Guardian - Sport

In such a landscape, you might wonder why I still plug away.

The Guardian

If you just plug away and stay patient, your time will come, I guess.

The Guardian - Sport

She continued to plug away to build her fan base, and then on July 11 , 2012 things changed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The other, a plug-away immigrant, quietly working her way to citizenship.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plug away" to emphasize consistent and persistent effort, especially when facing challenges or working on long-term projects. It conveys a sense of steady progress despite difficulties.

Common error

Avoid using "plug away" in contexts where the effort is minimal or easily achieved. It implies a degree of difficulty or resistance being overcome through consistent action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plug away" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, meaning it does not take a direct object. It modifies a verb, describing how an action is performed with persistent and continuous effort, as Ludwig's examples showcase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plug away" is a versatile verb phrase that indicates persistent and consistent effort, often despite challenges. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and widely used in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase maintains a neutral tone, suitable for describing continued effort in various contexts. For alternative phrasing, consider "persevere" or "keep at it", depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "plug away" when you want to emphasize steady progress through difficulty, rather than implying minimal effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persevere

Focuses on continuing despite difficulty, omitting the sense of consistent, steady effort.

keep at it

Implies encouragement to continue, rather than just describing ongoing effort.

press on

Suggests moving forward with determination, potentially overlooking the routine aspect.

hammer away

Emphasizes repetitive action, potentially missing the element of overcoming challenges.

soldier on

Conveys a sense of stoic perseverance through hardship, which "plug away" doesn't necessarily imply.

work tirelessly

Highlights relentless effort but might lack the connotation of steady, consistent progress.

stay the course

Focuses on maintaining a direction or plan, perhaps less on the active effort involved.

remain persistent

Stresses the unchanging nature of the effort but may downplay the continuous action.

keep grinding

Emphasizes the hard and often unpleasant nature of the work, adding a negative connotation not always present in "plug away".

maintain effort

Focuses on keeping up a certain level of exertion without specifying persistence through difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "plug away" in a sentence?

You can use "plug away" to describe continuous effort despite challenges, as in, "Despite the setbacks, she continued to plug away at her research".

What's a good alternative to "plug away"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "persevere", "keep at it", or "press on".

Is "plug away" formal or informal?

"Plug away" is generally considered informal but acceptable in many contexts, particularly when describing everyday efforts. More formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "persevere".

What does it mean to "plug away" at something?

To "plug away" at something means to persistently and consistently work at it, often despite challenges or slow progress. It emphasizes the steady effort over time.