Pinch a Plug Out of You

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "pinch a plug out of you" means to threaten a sharp pinch or quick whoopin’, usually said playfully but with just enough edge to make a point.

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synonyms: pinch the fire out of you, tear you up, give you what-for

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I don't remember hearin' 'pinch a plug out of you' growin' up, I've only read it. It may be a little more regional.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I don't remember hearin' 'pinch a plug out of you' growin' up, I've only read it. It may be a little more regional.

Pronunciation

[PEENCH uh PLUG outta yew]
/ piːnt͡ʃ ə plʌg aʊtə juː /

Meaning & Usage

- Threat of a Pinch or Mild Punishment (verb phrase)

Mae:

Boy, you keep pesterin’ that dog and I’ll pinch a plug out of you.

Earl:

I’m just lovin’ on him!

- Threat of a Fight or Retaliation (verb phrase)

Ruby:

He said what to you?

Elmer:

One more word an’ I’d’ve pinched a plug out of him.

variations: pinch a plug out of him, pinch a plug outta you, pinch a plug out o’ you

★ If you hear this from an older Southerner, it’s nine parts bluff and one part real consequence. ★

Origin and Etymology

The phrase comes from the old practice of "pinching off" a plug of chewing tobacco - a tough, dense hunk that had to be pulled hard to break. Comparing discipline to "pinching a plug out of" someone made the warning vivid and memorable. It appears in early Southern oral histories and dialect writing, especially Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

Usage Notes

This saying is almost always figurative and typically used jokingly, especially toward kids or rowdy relatives. Tone and delivery carry the meaning - soft voice for humor, sharper voice for a real warning.

Often used as a playful "cut that out."
Rarely meant literally.
Still heard in rural communities, though less common among younger speakers.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does it mean an actual pinch?

Not usually. It’s more of a colorful warning with old-timey roots.

Where is it most common?

Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and parts of the Carolinas - strongly Southern/Appalachian.

Is it still used today?

Yes, though mostly by older speakers or families that still use traditional expressions.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 12). Pinch a Plug Out of You. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/pinch-a-plug-out-of-you
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Pinch a Plug Out of You." HillbillySlang.com, 12 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/pinch-a-plug-out-of-you.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Pinch a Plug Out of You." HillbillySlang.com. November 12, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/pinch-a-plug-out-of-you.

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