Phrase guide

pull the plug

verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To unplug or cut power to a machine.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • Shut off the machine and pull the plug.
  • He put an end to the loud music by pulling the plug.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To turn off life support.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To commit suicide.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal, intransitive

Examples

  • 1981, The Jim Carroll Band, People Who Died Cathy was eleven when she pulled the plug / On twenty-six reds and a bottle of wine

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To cease to support; to halt.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal, intransitive

Examples

  • It's a wonder the director didn't pull the plug on that project months ago.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To cease production or publication.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

prevent from happening or continuing

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The government pulled the plug on spending

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: discontinue, stop, cease, give up, quit, lay off

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

22 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Cherokee: ᎫᏓᎴᎠ (gudalea) — unplug, cut power — see also unplug
  • Danish: trække stikket — unplug, cut power — see also unplug
  • Finnish: katkaista virta — unplug, cut power — see also unplug
  • Galician: desenchufar — unplug, cut power — see also unplug
  • German: den Stecker ziehen — unplug, cut power — see also unplug
  • Korean: 플러그를 뽑다 (peulleogeureul ppopda) — unplug, cut power — see also unplug
  • Māori: koti — unplug, cut power — see also unplug
  • Norwegian Bokmål: trekke ut proppen — unplug, cut power — see also unplug
  • Norwegian Bokmål: trekke ut kontakten — unplug, cut power — see also unplug
  • Romanian: scoate din priză — unplug, cut power — see also unplug
  • Welsh: tynnu plwg — unplug, cut power — see also unplug
  • Finnish: lakkauttaa — cease to support, halt
  • Finnish: lopettaa — cease to support, halt
  • French: débrancher la prise — cease to support, halt
  • German: den Garaus machen — cease to support, halt
  • German: den Stecker ziehen — cease to support, halt
  • Italian: staccare la spina — cease to support, halt
  • Norwegian Bokmål: trekke ut kontakten — cease to support, halt
  • Polish: przestawać wspierać — cease to support, halt
  • Polish: przestać wspierać — cease to support, halt
  • Polish: zatrzymywać — cease to support, halt
  • Polish: zatrzymać — cease to support, halt