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Glite Dictionary
to plug into

to plug into

30 3.0
To connect a device to a power socket to get electricity
  • phrasal verb
  • /plʌɡ ˈɪntu/
translation icon : enchufar
  • To use my new lamp, I need to plug into the wall socket.
  • plugged into an outlet
  • plugged into the wall
  • plug into your computer

On one end, this plugs into a standard Canon camera.

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Examples

  • As it stands now, you'd need a converter to plug your machine into European power outlets.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Most of the machines are plugged into a TRANSFORMER BOX on the floor.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • I could plug into the system right here.

    Attack of the Sabretooth (2005)

  • You can of course plug the mouse directly into the keyboard here like this.

  • On one end, this plugs into a standard Canon camera.

    Adam Savage’s Tested

  • The evidence, a fan, was plugged into an outlet near her and was turned on.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • You gotta get on the phone right now, and you gotta make sure it's plugged into the wall 'cause - otherwise it doesn't work.

    Good Time (2017)

  • I need a charger for this cell phone, something I can plug into my cigarette lighter.

    Man of the Year (2006)

  • If we don't plug into the computer now, they're gonna reprogram it.

    Scanners (1981)

  • After every scouting mission, Bayliss plugs the collected data into his laptop, incorporating it into his ever-growing map.

    Academic text (2003)

Synonyms

to connect
vsto plug into
445 2.7

Attach something to power or a network so it works

is narrower focusing on joining a device to a power supply by insertion
to plug
vsto plug into
100 1.1

To put a cord into a socket to connect a device to power

is about connecting a device to power rather than mere insertion
to plug in
vsto plug into
54 2.8

To connect an electrical device to a power socket by inserting its cord

has identical meaning but uses preposition to emphasize connection direction
to jack in
vsto plug into
  • Jargon
2 8.1

To connect to a computer system or network by logging on

is about joining devices to power outlets not to networks or systems

Antonyms

to unplug
28 2.6

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

How Connected

hardwired
2 6.2
to plug into
30 3.0
to connect
445 2.7
to unplug
28 2.6

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

plug + into

The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'plug' (to connect or insert a plug) combined with 'into' (movement into or toward the interior of something), describing the physical action of inserting a plug into an outlet. This is a straightforward motion/placement construction common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Plug into comes from the simple image of putting a device's plug into a wall socket so the device gets power. So, it now means 'to connect to a power supply'.