to plough on

1 5.0

Keep doing something despite difficulty or others telling you to stop

phrasal verb
/plaʊ ɑn/

: seguir adelante

Failing to acknowledge this and ploughing on with 'big design up front' doesn't address that problem and doesn't work.

I would just like to plow on more product with it.

Examples

Despite the challenges, I decided to plough on with my research until I make a breakthrough.
Meanwhile, she plans to plough on with Brexit, regardless of the fact that Scotland voted to remain in the EU.
Nonetheless, we're going to plow on and keep using them for a few minutes.
CUT TO: The motor launch ploughs on with Alsemaro at the helm.

Fiction book (1998)
The dialogue ploughed on.

Fiction book (2002)
With her palm, she wiped away condensation from the windshield and tried to decide whether to plough on, in the unlikely hope she was headed in the right direction, or turn back to the last village.

Fiction book (2002)
Rather than plough on, they've decided to burn off the episodes so far produced, dissolve the block, and deal with each future DC-themed show on an ad-hoc, one-by-one basis.

Blog text (14)
Even when the critics doubted him, the author chose to plough on and complete his novel.
When the project got tough, she resolved to plough on and finish it by the deadline.

Synonyms

to keep on

vsto plough on

306 1.4

Continue doing something without stopping

is more about continuing despite opposition and determination rather than simple nonstop action

to carry on

vsto plough on

253 2.7

To continue doing something after an interruption or when it is difficult

is more about stubborn determined continuation against opposition than simple resumption

to get on with

vsto plough on

168 2.3

Continue doing something, especially after an interruption

is more about persistent determined action despite opposition rather than quiet resumption

to keep it moving

vsto plough on

Informal

161 4.4

Move forward without stopping or slowing down

is more about stubborn continuation despite opposition rather than mere steady progress

to press on

vsto plough on

26 3.9

To keep going with a task even when it is hard

is more about continuing despite others urging you to stop or oppose you

to push on

vsto plough on

21 3.7

Move forward or keep going despite difficulty

is more about continuing despite opposition or others wanting you to stop

to plow ahead

vsto plough on

3 4.7

Continue doing something even when there are problems

is the same determined continuation but differs in wording or spelling

to plod through

vsto plough on

1 5.6

To work slowly and steadily through a task despite finding it hard

is about determined continuation despite opposition rather than slow, steady effort

to keep on pushing through

vsto plough on

Informal

5.1

To continue to try hard even when things are difficult

is more about stubborn continuation even when others want you to stop

Antonyms

to give up

∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

to quit

653 1.5

To stop trying when something is too hard

How Determined

to persevere

22 5.1

to press on

26 3.9

to plough on

1 5.0

to keep going

357 1.6

to carry on

253 2.7

Surface Forms

plough on infinitive

ploughing on present participle

ploughs on third person singular

ploughed on past

ploughed on past participle

Morphology

plow + on

The meaning 'to continue doing something determinedly' is directly derivable from combining 'plough' (to force one's way through obstacles) with 'on' (indicating continuation). The metaphor of pushing forward maps transparently onto persisting in an activity, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Plough on may come from the image of a farmer pulling a heavy plough through hard soil and forcing it to move on. So, it now means 'to keep going' and not stop, even when things are difficult.