plug in

be plugged in

To be directly or very closely involved in, attuned to, or enthusiastic about some scene, setting, or environment. When it comes to the art scene, no one is more plugged in than my wife. I used to be a huge heavy metal fan, but I haven't really been plugged in since college. You have to be pretty plugged in to get ahead in the business world.
See also: plug

plug in

1. To be able to be inserted into something else, as to function a certain way or draw an electrical charge. I think that piece plugs in over here. My new phone doesn't plug in at all—the battery is recharged wirelessly from a special dock.
2. To insert something in (to something else), as to achieve a certain function or drawn an electrical charge. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "plug" and "in." I need to plug my phone in or the battery will die. Don't turn the power on until after you plug in the cartridge.
3. To connect to an online network or system. The airport offers free Wi-Fi if you want to plug in and get some work done before your flight. The update should begin automatically so long as your account remains plugged in.
See also: plug
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

plug (oneself) in (to something)

to become attached to something; to become attached to some sort of network or system. As soon as I have plugged my laptop into the local network, I will have access to the Internet. I plugged myself into the computer network and began to communicate quickly and efficiently.
See also: plug
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

plug in

v.
1. To insert a part of some object into another, especially to make a mechanical or electrical connection: He plugged in the iron and waited for it to get hot. If you don't plug the phone in, you won't get any telephone calls.
2. To function by being mechanically or electrically connected to another object: That radio plugs in, but it can also run on batteries.
See also: plug
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

plugged in

mod. excited by drugs; having to do with the drug culture; turned on. (Drugs.) That punker is plugged in, for sure.
See also: plug
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • be plugged in
  • plugged in
  • plugged in, be
  • come on the scene
  • arrive/come on the scene
  • arrive (up)on the scene
  • arrive on the scene
  • on the scene
  • on the scene, be
  • be on the scene
References in periodicals archive
The Apple-trained associates form part of a Plug Ins programme designed to provide its customers with knowledgeable sales advisors across the various brands and product categories in line with the consumer electronics retailer's strategy to differentiate from its competitors.
Plug Ins opens its 1st Apple store in Abu Dhabi
As part of its DSS offer, Plug Ins offered customers, purchasing the latest consumer electronics items including mobile phones, smartphones, cameras, tablets, notebooks and desktops, home appliances and the latest TV's, gifts and vouchers worth Dh2 million.
Plug Ins represents over 350 leading brands in the UAE through an established network of eight stores located in popular shopping destinations including the Dubai Festival City Mall, The Dubai Mall, Al-Ghurair Centre, Mall of the Emirates, Deira City Centre, two stores in Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi and the newly opened Connect store in Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi.
Plug Ins posts 16% sales growth as DSS footfall increases 9% this year
The opening of the brand-specific zone on March 28 follows the highly successful introduction of the same concept at Plug Ins' flagship Dubai Festival City store late last year.
Plug Ins seeks 40% Apple sales growth