plug along

plug along

1. To continue making progress (in some endeavor) at steady, consistent pace, especially in the face of difficulties, challenges, setbacks, etc. We're still plugging along with the project, in spite of all the problems we've had with staff turnover. It's been tough dealing with all the negative publicity in the media, but I just want to plug along and show the world that I can still win this tournament.
2. To get by; to do satisfactorily. Typically used in the continuous tense as a response to "How are you?" or some similar greeting. A: "How you been, Tom?" B: "Oh, you know, just plugging along. Nothing too wild going on around here."
See also: plug
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

(I'm) (just) plugging along.

Inf. I am doing satisfactorily.; I am just managing to function. Bill: How are things going? Bob: I'm just plugging along. Sue: How are you doing, Fred? Fred: Just plugging along, thanks. And you? Sue: About the same.
See also: plug
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • plugging along
  • stick at
  • puff along
  • turn out all right
  • work out all right
  • stick with it
  • keep at
  • keep at (someone or something)
  • be still in the game
  • press onward
References in periodicals archive
Plug along, haunted by the feeling that there must be something rath- er better out there and fielding the odd snide comment from the sales director?
Each cable features a single 3.5mm male stereo plug along with dual (red and white in color) male RCA plugs, allowing audio transfer capability between a stereo source and an RCA output.
Emerging markets such as China, Brazil, Russia, India and Venezuela are expected to grow by 14% to 17% per year, while mature markets will plug along at 3% to 6% annual growth.
But the CRF has a wide powerband that kicks in from low down so you can plug along at slow speeds through the most treacherous terrain.
Continue to plug along everyday, making whatever contribution I can to everything and everybody around me.
A basic starter kit for pressure reaction vessel users includes a needle valve adaptor and stainless steel plug along with a glass vessel and coupling.
Why plug along from day to day in a pedestrian rut of mediocrity, ineffectiveness and futility?
We plug along, this little radical contingent of teachers, students, and parents.
As I plug along, investing time into the work that I care about, I hear:
"One on One" (UPN)--Although ratings for its Monday comedy block are down across the board, this vet continues to plug along despite airing in its third different timeslot in as many seasons.
The baggage carousel at Los Cabos International Airport reveals just a sampling of the outdoor activities offered throughout the sun-soaked Baja Peninsula: Hard plastic cases cradling golf clubs and zippered totes in the shape of tennis rackets plug along in fits and starts.
Perhaps not, perhaps we won't see the "golden era" of the '70s and '80s again, but it will plug along. As baseball great Dizzy Dean said when asked about his sore arm, "Well, it isn't what it used to be, but what the hell is?"
I had a lot of lip-outs but I have stayed patient and continued to plug along and played the golf course for what it gives me.''
Meanwhile, the group she founded continues to plug along, making fewer and fewer waves.
Regardless he has continued to plug along. Improvingly his Web based appointment scheduling product and pining for an investment or acquisition opportunity.