Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Topic: AGRICULTURE

plough

2 verb
     
plough2 also plow American English
1 [intransitive and transitive]TA to turn over the earth using a plough so that seeds can be planted:
In those days the land was plowed by oxen.
2 [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.
Definition of plough from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English within
the topic AGRICULTURE
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