I. plough1 (
also plow American English) /plaʊ/
noun [countable]1. a piece of farm equipment used to turn over the earth so that seeds can be planted
2. under the plough British English formal land that is under the plough is used for growing crops
⇒
snow plough(1)
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
II. plough2 (
also plow American English)
verb1. [intransitive and transitive] to turn over the earth using a plough so that seeds can be planted:
In those days the land was plowed by oxen. a ploughed field2. [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to move with a lot of effort or force
plough through/up/across etc We ploughed through the thick mud.3. plough a lonely/lone furrow British English literary to do a job or activity that is different from those done by other people, or to do it alone
plough ahead phrasal verb to continue to do something in spite of opposition or difficulties
plough ahead with The government will plough ahead with tests this year, despite a boycott from teachers.plough something ↔ back phrasal verb to use money that you have earned from a business to make the business bigger and more successful
plough something ↔ back into Companies can plough back their profits into new equipment.plough into somebody/something phrasal verb to crash into something or someone, especially while driving, because you are unable to stop quickly enough:
I plowed into the car in front.plough on phrasal verb to continue doing something that is difficult or boring
plough on with Julia ploughed on with the endless exam papers. He looked displeased but she ploughed on regardless.plough through something phrasal verb to read all of something, even though it is boring and takes a long time:
Most staff will never want to plough through the manuals that come with the software.plough something ↔ up phrasal verb to break up the surface of the ground by travelling over it many times:
Horses plough up the paths and make them muddy for walkers. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲