unplugged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unplugged" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a state of being disconnected from electronic devices or technology. Example: "After a long week, I decided to go on a weekend retreat to stay unplugged." Alternative expressions include "disconnected" and "offline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Bennett became a favourite with "Generation X" via his memorable appearance in 1993 on the MTV show Unplugged; the album of this performance, MTV Unplugged (1994), earned two Grammy Awards and remained at the top of the jazz charts for 35 weeks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An open-air play about Edward Whymper's ascent will join the dozens of regular events, such as music festival Zermatt Unplugged in April.

The Guardian - Travel

As TVs were switched off standby and gadgets unplugged, bills came down.

The Guardian

The author himself retreated to an (unplugged) mountain hideout to write his book, but he thinks most people depend too much on the net for work and fun to do the same.

The Economist

An estimated 10% of the city's population lives in shantytowns.In this section Maple, resting on laurels Bolivia's rentier republic On shaky ground The unplugged ReprintsEveryone, from city authorities to NGOs, agrees that the villas must be "urbanised", or incorporated into the formal fabric of the city.

The Economist

Chinese wind farms classic creations of central planning are often not plugged in or create power surges so big that the electricity grid cannot cope and they have to be unplugged again.Dirty coal will remain China's most important fuel for the foreseeable future (hopes of a shale-gas revolution may be constrained by water shortages).

The Economist

The deal's fine print looks reasonable, but corporate-governance watchers are not amused.In this section Unplugged Non-regular and not wanted Paying the piper Digging deep Let's make a deal A quick fix Hulu who?

The Economist

LaserDisc players never really caught on after being introduced in 1980, but Pioneer stopped shipping them only last month.In this section Unplugged Non-regular and not wanted Paying the piper Digging deep Let's make a deal A quick fix Hulu who?

The Economist

On July 22nd he gave his first proper progress report, in the shape of Microsoft's fourth-quarter results.In this section Fixing the German dynamo Shake, rattle 'n' roll Unwarranted Cloud lifting Pure, cheap and a bit dull Unplugged and unproductive ReprintsThose numbers showed that the cloud part of Mr Nadella's plan is starting to lift Microsoft up, but that the mobile side is weighing it down.

The Economist

But many of the small fry competently but predictably turn out a narrow range of flavours.In this section Fixing the German dynamo Shake, rattle 'n' roll Unwarranted Cloud lifting Pure, cheap and a bit dull Unplugged and unproductive ReprintsRory Lawton, an Irish beer expert in Berlin, thinks Germany's Reinheitsgebot, or beer-purity law, is discouraging innovation.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

A thing without senses…unplugged from the world".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unplugged" to describe a performance, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to the use of acoustic instruments or a more intimate, low-key setting. For example, specify "an unplugged acoustic set" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "unplugged" solely to mean 'not plugged into the internet.' While it can imply digital disconnection, its primary meaning relates to physical disconnection from power or the use of acoustic instruments. Use "offline" or "disconnected" for digital contexts to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unplugged" is as an adjective, modifying a noun to indicate a state of disconnection or acoustic instrumentation. It can also function as a past participle of the verb "unplug". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and contextual versatility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "unplugged" functions primarily as an adjective, denoting disconnection from a power source or, more commonly, referring to musical performances using acoustic instruments. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its proper usage across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While its register is generally neutral, its versatility makes it a valuable term for describing various states of disconnection or acoustic settings. It's crucial to maintain context to ensure clarity, especially when differentiating between technological and musical applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disconnected

Focuses on the state of being not connected physically or digitally.

not connected

Emphasizes the lack of a connection.

acoustic

Specifically refers to instruments without electrical amplification.

non-electric

Highlights the absence of electrical components.

switched off

Indicates the action of turning something off.

powered down

Refers to turning off a device.

offline

Indicates a state of not being connected to the internet.

detached

Emphasizes separation or disconnection.

isolated

Highlights being set apart or disconnected from others.

unplugged from the grid

Specifically refers to being independent of the electrical power grid.

FAQs

How can I use "unplugged" in a sentence?

You can use "unplugged" to describe something not connected to a power source, like "I keep my phone charger "unplugged" when not in use". It can also describe a musical performance using acoustic instruments.

What does "unplugged" mean in the context of music?

In music, "unplugged" typically means a performance featuring acoustic instruments rather than electric ones, often in a more intimate setting, as popularized by MTV's "Unplugged" series.

What's a synonym for "unplugged" when referring to technology?

When referring to technology, synonyms for "unplugged" include "disconnected" or "offline", which emphasize the lack of a digital connection.

Is it correct to say "I'm going unplugged for the weekend"?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to say "I'm going "unplugged" for the weekend", meaning you plan to disconnect from technology and electronic devices for a period of time.