suck

/sʌk/ (bre, ipa) · /sʌk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsək/ (ame, mw)

suck — verb

  • suckpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • suckshe / she / it
  • suckedpast simple
  • sucking-ing form

1. Creating a partial vacuum so that liquid or air passes into the mouth; also, pla

1.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

Creating a partial vacuum so that liquid or air passes into the mouth; also, placing an object against the opening of the mouth and pressing it with the tongue until it softens or releases its taste — for example, raising a cool drink through a straw or letting a piece of hard candy gradually melt between the tongue and the roof of the mouth.

例句

The toddler sat and sucked the last of her orange juice through a striped straw.

transitive + through + instrument of suction

Padma sucked on a lemon drop while she finished writing her essay.

suck on + [something held in mouth]

同義詞
  • sip

    means to drink a small amount at a time, not the continuous pulling action of 'suck'

  • slurp

    implies a noisy, unrefined way of drinking or eating, often socially disapproved

反義詞
  • blow

    suck pulls air/matter inward; blow pushes it outward

文法句型

suck + noun phrase (transitive)

suck on + noun phrase (intransitive)

用法筆記

Can be used transitively ('suck a straw') or intransitively with 'on' ('suck on a piece of candy'). The particle 'on' is more common when describing holding something in the mouth for a period of time rather than drinking.

常見錯誤

I sipped the orange juice through a straw.
I sucked the orange juice through a straw.
💡'sip' means to drink a little at a time, while 'suck' involves continuous pulling force through the mouth.

2. To pull an object, liquid, or gas into, through, or out of something using stron

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

To pull an object, liquid, or gas into, through, or out of something using strong physical force created by suction — for example, a vacuum cleaner pulling dust out of a carpet, or a river current pulling a swimmer downward.

例句

The vacuum cleaner quickly sucked all the dust from the old living room rug.

instrument (vacuum cleaner) + suck + object + from + surface

A sudden gust of wind sucked the front door open and sent napkins flying.

natural force + suck + object + open

同義詞
  • draw

    more formal; 'draw water from a well' sounds literary, while 'suck' is everyday

  • pull

    less specific about the mechanism; 'pull' can use any force, 'suck' specifically uses suction

反義詞
  • blow

    blow pushes outward; suck pulls inward

  • expel

    formal; to push something out with force

文法句型

suck + noun + into/out of/through + noun (transitive)

be sucked + preposition direction

用法筆記

Often used in the passive voice ('be sucked into/out of/by'). Common subjects include instruments of suction (vacuums, pumps, drains) and natural forces (wind, currents, whirlpools). The direction of movement is typically specified by a prepositional phrase.

常見錯誤

The vacuum cleaner sucked the dirt.' (correct, but vague)
The vacuum cleaner sucked the dirt from the living room carpet.
💡This sense usually requires a direction or location to make the meaning clear.

3. To be extremely bad, unpleasant, disappointing, or of very poor quality — used i

3.動詞不及物B1
釋義

To be extremely bad, unpleasant, disappointing, or of very poor quality — used in informal speech, especially by younger speakers, to express strong negative feelings about an experience, object, or situation.

例句

Christopher said the concert sucked because the band played only old songs.

[person] + said + [thing] + sucked (past tense)

Yan thought her new phone sucked, so she returned it to the store.

同義詞
  • stink

    also informal, but slightly less common: 'the food stinks'

  • be awful

    neutral register, usable in formal contexts unlike 'suck'

反義詞
  • rock

    informal slang opposite: 'this place rocks!'

  • rule

    informal opposite: 'summer vacation rules!'

文法句型

[thing/experience] + sucks (simple present)

it sucks that + clause

用法筆記

Always intransitive — the subject is the thing being criticized, not the person doing the criticizing. You cannot say 'I suck this movie' to mean 'I think this movie is bad.' The that-clause structure ('it sucks that...') is very common. Avoid this sense in formal or academic writing.

常見錯誤

I suck this game.
This game sucks.
💡The subject of 'suck' (sense 3) is always the thing that is bad, not the person who dislikes it.

suck — noun