Plough up Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Agricultural Use Most often used to describe the physical act of preparing land for farming. After winter, the farmers ploughed up the fields. Pro Tip 2/3Literal Action Refers specifically to the action of a plow slicing through and turning soil. It’s tough to plough up the earth when it's this dry. Pro Tip 3/3Seasonal Work Typically takes place seasonally, in spring or autumn, linked to farming cycles. They always plough up the land in autumn.