Abstract: The object of the invention is a spreading plug which preferably comprises plastic and has a plurality of slots in the plug cover, between which slots spreading segments are formed which are spread outward against the wall of the drilled hole when a screw or another spreading element is screwed into the central insertion channel of the plug. In order to obtain a plurality of spreading regions which are distributed over the axial plug length, for the purpose of a more uniform spreading action, a plurality of slot arrangements are provided which are arranged offset with respect to one another both in the circumferential direction and in the axial direction. Preferably, a first slot which extends over the diameter of the plug is provided over a part length of the shaft and a further continuous slot is provided, offset in the circumferential direction by 90°, over the remaining part of the plug length as far as the plug base. Here, the two slot pairs overlap one another in the central region.