pull the plug on something or someone Definition

plug
noun

1. A piece of rubber, plastic, etc shaped to fit a hole as a stopper, eg in a bath or sink.
2. Any device or piece of material for a similar purpose.

Example: earplugs
3a. The plastic or rubber device with metal pins, fitted to the end of the flex of an electrical apparatus, that is pushed into a socket to connect with the power supply;
3b. loosely
The socket or power point.
Example: switch it off at the plug
4. colloq
A piece of favourable publicity given to a product, programme, etc, eg on television.
5. A spark plug.
6. An accumulation of solidified magma which fills the vent of a volcano. Also called volcanic plug.
7. A lump of tobacco for chewing.

verb plugged, plugging

1. To stop or block up (a hole, etc) with something.

Thesaurus: stop, obstruct, close, cork, fill, seal, stuff, tamp, occlude.
Form: plug something up (often)
2. colloq
To give favourable publicity to (a product, programme, etc), especially repeatedly.
Example: plugged her new book
3. slang
To shoot someone with a gun.

Derivative: plugger
noun

Idiom: plug school

slang
To play truant.

Idiom: pull the plug on something or someone

To stop being supportive of it or them.

To destroy them or it, eg by cutting off supplies, finance, etc.

Etymology: 17c: from Dutch plugge a bung or peg.

Phrasal Verb: plug away or along

To work or progress steadily.

Phrasal Verb: plug something in

To connect (an electrical appliance) to the power supply by means of an electrical plug.