tuck
/tʌk/ (bre, ipa) · /tʌk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtək/ (ame, mw)
tuck — verb
- tuckpresent simple I / you / we / they
- tuckshe / she / it
- tuckedpast simple
- tucking-ing form
1. to press or work the free edge of an item of clothing, a bedsheet, or other fabr
to press or work the free edge of an item of clothing, a bedsheet, or other fabric into a desired position so that everything stays neat and stays in place
Noa always tucks his shirt into his trousers before a job interview.
tuck + object + into [garment]
Femi carefully tucked the blanket under the mattress on both sides.
tuck + object + under [surface]
The waitress tucked the napkin under the edge of the plate.
Isabela tucked the loose strap of her bag inside the pocket.
A man sat down and tucked the tag of his new sweater inside the collar.
- pull out
to remove from where it was tucked
文法句型
tuck + object + into/under/inside + noun
用法筆記
Usually followed by a preposition such as into, under, or inside that tells where the material is pushed. The object is typically clothing, bedding, or fabric.
常見錯誤
2. to place an item inside a confined, protected, or concealed spot so that it rema
to place an item inside a confined, protected, or concealed spot so that it remains safe, unseen, or available when needed later
Élise tucked the letter behind the old clock on the shelf.
Hamza tucked a few extra banknotes into the back of his passport case.
tuck + money/documents + into [secure place]
Sari always tucks a spare key under the flowerpot by the front door.
Christopher tucked the small gift box behind some books on the shelf.
The woman tucked her savings into a cloth bag and hid it in the wardrobe.
- retrieve
to take something back out of where it was stored
文法句型
tuck + object + away/into/behind/under + noun
用法筆記
Often combined with the particle "away" (tuck away) to emphasize hiding or storing securely. The object is typically something small or valuable.
3. to flex or pull a limb or your whole frame into a compressed, folded shape — for
to flex or pull a limb or your whole frame into a compressed, folded shape — for example, drawing your knees up toward your chest or dropping your chin before a forward roll
The gymnast tucked her knees tightly against her chest during the flip.
tuck + body part + against [body part]
Cyrus tucked his chin down and rolled forward onto the mat.
The diver tucked into a tight ball before hitting the water.
Inês tucked her elbows close to her sides while squeezing through a narrow gap.
For the ski jump, Lan tucked his body low and pulled his arms back.
- extend
to straighten out the body or limbs
文法句型
tuck + body part + into/against/under + noun
tuck + reflexive pronoun
用法筆記
Frequently used in sports and fitness contexts, especially diving, gymnastics, skiing, and martial arts. Can be transitive (tuck your knees) or intransitive with "into" (tuck into a ball).
常見錯誤
4. to be located in a quiet, hidden, or sheltered place that is away from busy area
to be located in a quiet, hidden, or sheltered place that is away from busy areas or public view
The small hotel is tucked away behind a row of old oak trees.
passive: be tucked away + location
Faisal's workshop is tucked behind the main market square.
A little cafe is tucked among the narrow streets of the old town.
Sayaka's cottage is tucked in a valley where few tourists ever go.
The wildlife reserve is tucked between two mountain ranges.
- nestle
implies a cozy or snug position; similar tone
- be situated
neutral and formal; no implication of hiddenness
文法句型
be tucked + away/in/among/behind + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used in the passive voice (be tucked) or as a past participle adjective (a tucked-away village). The active form is rare for this sense.
5. to cover or wrap someone, especially a child, with blankets or bedding so that t
to cover or wrap someone, especially a child, with blankets or bedding so that they feel warm, snug, and comfortable, often before they sleep
Camila tucked her daughter into bed and kissed her forehead.
tuck + person + into bed
Every night Grandpa tucked the children in and told them a story.
tuck + person + in — phrasal verb pattern
Sirin tucked the baby up in a soft blanket before the walk.
The nurse tucked the patient into the hospital bed with extra pillows.
Ezra tucked his younger brother up snugly on the sofa bed.
文法句型
tuck + person + in/into/up + noun
tuck + person + up
用法筆記
Commonly used with the particles "in" (tuck in) or "up" (tuck up). "Tuck in" implies putting the person to bed; "tuck up" implies wrapping them cozily in blankets, not necessarily for sleep.
常見錯誤
tuck — noun
- tucksingular
- tucksplural
1. a short, stitched crease in cloth that is used to reduce its length, improve the
a short, stitched crease in cloth that is used to reduce its length, improve the fit, or serve as a decorative detail
The dress has a row of small tucks across the front of the bodice.
Isabela sewed a tuck at each shoulder to make the blouse fit better.
sew a tuck — functional use to adjust fit
Traditional blouses from this region are decorated with fine tucks and embroidery.
The tailor pressed each tuck flat with a hot iron before stitching.
Lan added several tucks to the waistband so the skirt would not be too loose.
用法筆記
Tucks differ from darts: a tuck runs the full length of the fold and is usually sewn from edge to edge, while a dart tapers to a point. Tucks can be purely decorative or functional.
2. a medical operation that tightens loose tissue by cutting away surplus flesh fro
a medical operation that tightens loose tissue by cutting away surplus flesh from a specific area, most commonly the abdomen, so that the skin looks firmer and smoother
After losing thirty kilograms, Femi decided to have a tummy tuck.
tummy tuck — most common compound
The clinic specializes in body contouring procedures including tummy tucks and liposuction.
Camila consulted two surgeons before scheduling her tummy tuck operation.
Recovery from an arm tuck usually takes about two to three weeks.
An eye tuck can remove drooping skin from the upper eyelids.
- abdominoplasty
the formal medical term; much less common in everyday speech
用法筆記
Most commonly used in the compound "tummy tuck" (abdominoplasty). Other compounds like "arm tuck", "thigh tuck", or "eye tuck" are less common but understood.
3. a compact body shape adopted during competitive activities like diving or gymnas
a compact body shape adopted during competitive activities like diving or gymnastics, with your legs drawn up tight and your thighs pressed firmly toward your midsection
The diver pulled into a tight tuck seconds before hitting the water.
pull into a tuck — diving use
Ezra held the tuck position all the way through the second somersault.
Gymnasts learn the tuck early because it is the basis for many flips.
Inês dropped into a tuck as her skis hit the steep slope.
The coach told Sayaka to keep her back straight while in the tuck.
- straight position
body fully extended, not bent
- pike
legs straight, bent at the waist — different body shape
文法句型
in a tuck
into a tuck
用法筆記
Often contrasted with other diving/gymnastics positions: "pike" (legs straight, bent at the waist) and "straight" (body fully extended). The tuck is the most compact and allows the fastest rotation.
4. sweet food and snack items such as candy, cakes, chocolate, and other treats, es
sweet food and snack items such as candy, cakes, chocolate, and other treats, especially as eaten by children or sold at school
The children spent their pocket money at the school tuck shop.
tuck shop — traditional school shop in BrE
Sari packed a box of tuck for the long train journey.
British boarding schools used to have a tuck box for each student's sweets.
The party table was covered with all kinds of tuck and fizzy drinks.
Grandma always gave the grandchildren some tuck before they went home.
用法筆記
Primarily British English and gradually becoming old-fashioned. Most commonly found in the fixed expressions "tuck shop" (a small shop selling sweets at a school) and "tuck box" (a box for keeping sweets). In modern British English, "sweets" or "treats" is more common.