unplug
gb/ʌnplˈʌɡ/ us/ʌnplˈʌɡ/
A2
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
disconnect from a power socket
to pull a plug out of the wall
Usage pattern:
unplug [device] (from [socket])
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse unplug with turn off: you can turn something off without unplugging it.
Synonyms
disconnect (More general; can be used for cables, systems, or relationships.)
|
pull out (Informal; focuses on the physical action of removing the plug.)
Antonyms
plug in (Connect a device to the power supply.)
|
connect (More general opposite; not limited to electricity.)
Collocations
unplug the charger
|unplug the lamp
|unplug the TV
|unplug the computer
|unplug the router
|unplug the device
|unplug the power cord
|unplug from the wall
|unplug it
|unplug everything
Themes
daily_life
|technology
|home
Examples
- Unplug the toaster when you’re finished using it.
- He unplugged the charger from the wall and put it in his bag.
- Please unplug the heater before you clean it.
Learner examples
- I unplug my phone charger at night.
- Unplug the lamp, please.
Verb
B1
action
2
remove a stopper from a drain
to remove the stopper so water can go out
Usage pattern:
unplug [drain/sink/bath]
Common mistake:
This sense is not about electricity; it means removing a stopper (like in a sink or bath).
Synonyms
unstopper (Directly means remove a stopper; less common in everyday speech.)
|
remove the plug (More explicit and often used instead of unplug in this sense.)
Antonyms
plug (Put a plug/stopper in to block the opening.)
|
stop up (Block an opening, especially a drain.)
Collocations
unplug the sink
|unplug the drain
|unplug the bath
|unplug the tub
|unplug the plughole
|unplug the hole
|unplug the basin
Themes
daily_life
|home
Examples
- Can you unplug the sink? The water isn’t draining.
- She unplugged the bath and watched the water swirl away.
- Unplug the drain before you start cleaning the tub.
Learner examples
- Please unplug the sink.
- I unplugged the bath.
Verb
B2
action
3
take a break from tech/work
to stop using devices and relax
Usage pattern:
unplug (from [work/technology])
Common mistake:
In this figurative sense, unplug doesn’t mean physically removing a plug; it means taking a break from screens or work.
Synonyms
switch off (Often means relax mentally; can also be literal (turn off a device).)
|
disconnect (Can mean stepping away mentally or socially, not just from technology.)
Antonyms
stay connected (Keep engaging with devices, messages, or work.)
|
plug in (Opposite metaphor: re-engage and pay attention.)
Collocations
unplug from work
|unplug from social media
|unplug from email
|unplug for the weekend
|unplug for a few hours
|try to unplug
|time to unplug
|help me unplug
Themes
technology
|health
|work
|lifestyle
Examples
- I try to unplug from work after dinner.
- They went camping to unplug and spend time together.
- If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take an hour to unplug and go for a walk.
Learner examples
- On vacation, I unplug from email.
- I need to unplug tonight.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unplug
IPA
GB/ʌnplˈʌɡ/
US/ʌnplˈʌɡ/
Syllables & stress
un - plug (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (plug)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: unplug
- 3rd Person Singular: unplugs
- Present Participle: unplugging
- Past: unplugged
Expressions
unplug and unwind
1/ʌnplˈʌɡ ˈænd ʌnwˈaɪnd/
fixed phrase
relax by disconnecting from screens
to stop using screens and relax
Examples
- After a long day, I like to unplug and unwind with a book.
- The hotel advertises a quiet place to unplug and unwind.
- We unplugged and unwound by the lake all weekend.
unplug it and plug it back in
1/ʌnplˈʌɡ ˈɪt ˈænd plˈʌɡ ˈɪt bˈæk ˈɪn/
fixed phrase
restart a device to fix it
turn it off by unplugging, then reconnect it
Examples
- If the router is acting up, unplug it and plug it back in.
- Tech support told me to unplug it and plug it back in after thirty seconds.
- The screen froze, so I unplugged it and plugged it back in.