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Glite Dictionary
to plug out

to plug out

4.9
Take a device's power cable out of a socket to stop electricity
  • phrasal verb
  • /plʌg aʊt/
  • UK
translation icon : desenchufar
  • Please plug out your laptop before you leave the office.

Examples

  • She always remembers to plug out her phone charger at night.

  • Please plug out the toaster after use.

  • He quickly plugged out the television during the thunderstorm.

  • She plugged out the lamp before leaving.

  • He quickly plugged out the television during the thunderstorm.

  • Please plug out your laptop before you leave the office.

  • She always remembers to plug out her phone charger at night.

Synonyms

to disconnect
vsto plug out
161 3.5

To separate something so it is no longer joined, for example remove a cable or turn off power

is specific to removing its power connection from a socket, not general separation
to unplug
vsto plug out
28 2.6

To take a plug out of a wall socket so an electric device stops getting power

is the same action but expressed with an alternate phrasing
to unplug the device
vsto plug out
2.5

Remove a device's plug from the socket so it has no power

is identical in meaning but expressed as a longer phrase
to de-energize
vsto plug out
  • Specialized
6.7

To make equipment safe by turning off its power

is limited to disconnecting from a socket rather than general power removal
to undrive
vsto plug out
  • Specialized
9.9

To stop a machine part from getting power so it no longer moves

is about removing its power connection from a socket, not disengaging machine parts

Antonyms

to plug in
12 3.2

To join a group, activity, or system to take part and get information

How Connected

to plug in
54 2.8
to plug out
  • UK
4.9
to disconnect
161 3.5

Surface Forms

plug out infinitive
plugged out past
plugged out past participle
plugging out present participle
plugs out third person singular

Morphology

plug + out

The meaning 'to disconnect by removing the plug' is directly derivable from combining 'plug' (the electrical connector) with 'out' (movement away/removal) — the phrase literally means to pull the plug out of the socket. This particle+verb composition is a transparent, compositional pattern (akin to 'pull out' or 'take out'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can infer the meaning even though 'unplug' is the more common form.

Etymology

The verb plug out comes from the simple action of pulling the electrical plug out of a socket, like a hand removing it to stop the power. That's why it means 'to disconnect' an electrical device from its power.