plug v.3
1. (US) to wager, to lay a bet.
![[US]](/static/img/flags/us.png "United States") | Checkers 20: It’s [i.e. horse-racing] an easy game to beat if you just stay off till you’re next to something good, and then plug it hard. |
2. to advertise, to promote something, esp. when filtered through a TV or radio programme.
| Artie (1963) 64: I would n’t like to start in and plug his game and then find myself on a dead one. | |
![[Aus]](/static/img/flags/aus.png "Australia") | Sydney Sportsman (Surry Hills, NSW) 27 Feb. 1/6: Recently his shop I entered, / Just as he was on the job / [...] /Pluggin’ of a certain cob. | |
| Toothsome Tales Told in Sl. 26: A reporter, who devoted much of his time [...] to plugging Elfie’s game. | |
| letter 12 Sept. in Mitgang (1968) 137: This is not ‘plugging’ in any sense. | |
| Broadway Melody 8: An entrenched battalion of burglars, sheiks, corruptionists, cake eaters, flask toters and theatrical heelers to plug it—and, presto! | |
| Serenade (1985) 192: On your car, plug the horn, the lock on the gas tank, the paint job, the speed and the low gas consumption. | |
| Harder They Fall (1971) 114: You go out and plug Molina like you never plugged anything in your life. | |
| USA Confidential 166: Meanwhile it [i.e. a magazine] plugs those who turn handsprings for the underworld. | |
![[UK]](/static/img/flags/uk.png "United Kingdom") | Mersey Beat 1–15 Nov. n.p.: The trouble is that they can’t plug a record properly. | |
| Awopbop. (1970) 61: They paid fixed rates to get the songs plugged. | |
| Of Minnie the Moocher and Me 44: You guys [...] beg me to plug one of your songs. | |
| Guardian Guide 29 May–4 June 98: Look, I came here to plug a movie. | |
| Westsiders 74: Lonzo isn’t here to sign acts — he has his own product to plug. |
In compounds
an illicit payment for promoting a record or song.
| Indiscreet Guide to Soho 54: It is an open secret that many radio stars gladly accept ‘plug money’ for selling a song on the ether, despite the strict clause in their contracts. |
In phrases
to act in support of, to make favourable statements about.
| Tales of the Ex-Tanks 375: Those tourists all plugged so hard for me that the [...] boss told me I could have the coach-driving job. | |
| Sorrows of a Show Girl (2004) 31: Say, is it considered au fait for a bride-about-to-be to do a little plugging for wedding presents this early in the game? | |
| ‘The New Fable of What Transpires’ in Ade’s Fables 146: He had to admit that Father was the only Outsider who seemed to be plugging for the Alliance. | |
| ‘Baseball Sl.’ in AS II:5 256: ‘Pluggers’ or ‘rooters,’ ‘plug’ or ‘root’ for their side or for their favorite players. | |
| (con. 1920s) Young Manhood in Studs Lonigan (1936) 380: Fran would be so thrilled because she had plugged so much for it and took such an interest in the affairs of the sorority. | |
| (con. 1941) Cell 2455 225: All the while I kept plugging for Chino. | |
| Ball Four 375: ‘I’m still plugging for you,’ Owens said. Bless him. |