plug away
B2 informal intransitive
In simple words
To keep working hard at something even when it's difficult or takes a long time
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To continue working steadily at a difficult or slow task without giving up
"She plugged away at her thesis for three years before finally submitting it."
Usage notes
Usually followed by 'at' plus the activity. 'Plug away at something.' Conveys a sense of unspectacular but admirable persistence. Common in both British and American informal English. Often used to encourage or describe someone making slow but steady progress.
Commonly used with
work project task studies research practice
Forms
Base
plug away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
plugs away
he/she/it
Past simple
pluged away
yesterday
Past participle
pluged away
have + pp
-ing form
pluging away
continuous
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