1 B2 idiomatic neutral
To reinvest money or profits back into a business or project
"Instead of paying out dividends, the company chose to plow all its earnings in and expand operations."
separable
plow in
B2 neutral separable transitive
To invest heavily or incorporate something into a larger whole
In plain English
To put a lot of money or work into something, or to mix something into the soil
What does "plow in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To turn organic material into soil using a plow, incorporating it into the earth
"The farmer decided to plow the old crop residue in before planting wheat for the winter season."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To use a plow to push something into the ground
Actually means
To put a lot of money or work into something, or to mix something into the soil
Usage tip
More common in American English. In an agricultural sense it refers literally to turning soil or organic matter into the ground. In a financial sense it means reinvesting profits or pouring resources into a project.
Words that pair with "plow in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
profits money investment resources compost manure
How to conjugate "plow in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
plow in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
plows in
he/she/it
Past simple
plowed in
yesterday
Past participle
plowed in
have + pp
-ing form
plowing in
continuous
Hear "plow in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "plow in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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