put a/the plug in the jug

put a/the plug in the jug

To become permanently sober; to give up intoxicants, especially alcohol. (Alludes to plugging up a jug of an alcoholic beverage.) I've always loved my dad, but he's become a much friendlier and sympathetic person since finally putting the plug in the jug. It took me waking up in a ditch and covered in vomit to realize that I needed to put a plug in the jug for good.
See also: jug, plug, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • get itchy fingers
  • itchy fingers
  • addict
  • addict (one) to (something)
  • addict to
  • can of worms
  • can of worms, it's a/like opening a
  • a can of worms
  • get someone's back up
  • have back up