1 B2 neutral
(Agriculture) To turn organic material or a crop into the soil using a plough.
"After the harvest, the farmer ploughed the straw in to improve the soil."
separable
plough in
B2 neutral separable transitive
To turn material into the soil using a plough, or to invest a large amount of money into something.
In plain English
To mix something into the ground with a plough, or to put a lot of money into something.
What does "plough in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To invest a large amount of money into a project or venture.
"They've ploughed millions in, but the startup still hasn't turned a profit."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To use a plough to turn material inward into the earth.
Actually means
To mix something into the ground with a plough, or to put a lot of money into something.
Usage tip
Used literally in agriculture ('plough in the crop residue') and metaphorically in finance ('plough money in'). Chiefly British English.
Words that pair with "plough in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
compost money fertilizer crops funds manure
How to conjugate "plough in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
plough in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
ploughs in
he/she/it
Past simple
ploughed in
yesterday
Past participle
ploughed in
have + pp
-ing form
ploughing in
continuous
Hear "plough in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "plough in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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