tuck

¹

[ tuhk ]

verb (used with object)

1. to put into a small, close, or concealing place:

   Tuck the money into your wallet.

2. to thrust in the loose end or edge of (a garment, covering, etc.) so as to hold closely in place (usually followed by in, up, under, etc.):

   Tuck in your blouse.

   Tuck the edge of the sheet under the mattress.

3. to cover snugly in or as if in this manner:

   She tucked the children into bed.

4. to pull up into a fold or folds; draw up into a folded arrangement (usually followed by in, up, etc.):

   to tuck up one's skirts;

   to tuck one's knees under one's chin.

5. Needlework. to sew tucks in.
6. to pass (a strand) above or below another one.
7. Informal. to eat or drink (usually followed by in, away, etc.):

   He tucked away a big meal.

verb (used without object)

1. to draw together; contract; pucker.
2. Needlework. to make tucks.
3. to fit securely or snugly:

   a bed that tucks into the corner.

4. to secure one's penis between one's legs so that the crotch is flat, often done by gender-diverse people as part of their gender expression:

   When I'm performing, I usually tuck, because it makes me feel more confident.

noun

1. something tucked or folded in.
2. Sewing. a fold, or one of a series of folds, made by doubling cloth upon itself and stitching parallel with the edge of the fold, used for decoration or for shortening or fitting a garment.
3. Diving, Gymnastics. a body position in which the head is lowered and the thighs held against the chest with the knees bent and the arms locked around the shins. Compare layout ( def 10 ), pike ⁷( def ).
4. Skiing. a crouch in which the ski poles are held close to the chest, extending back under the arms and parallel to the ground, as to maximize speed downhill.
5. Informal. a plastic surgery operation:

   a tummy tuck.

6. Nautical. the part of a vessel where the after ends of the outside planking or plating unite at the sternpost.
7. (in tying knots) the operation of passing one strand above or below another.
8. British Slang. food.

verb phrase

1. to eat with gusto:

   We tucked into a roast beef dinner.

tuck

²

[ tuhk ]

noun

, Informal.

1. tuxedo.

tuck

³

[ tuhk ]

noun

, Archaic.

1. a rapier, estoc, or other thrusting sword.

tuck

⁴

[ tuhk ]

noun

, Chiefly Scot.

1. a drumbeat or the sound of one beat on a drum.

tuck

¹

/ tʌk /

noun

1. archaic.
   a rapier

tuck

²

/ tʌk /

verb

1. tr to push or fold into a small confined space or concealed place or between two surfaces

   to tuck a letter into an envelope

2. tr to thrust the loose ends or sides of (something) into a confining space, so as to make neat and secure

   to tuck the sheets under the mattress

3. to make a tuck or tucks in (a garment)
4. usually tr to draw together, contract, or pucker

noun

1. a tucked object or part
2. a pleat or fold in a part of a garment, usually stitched down so as to make it a better fit or as decoration
3. the part of a vessel where the after ends of the planking or plating meet at the sternpost
4. 1. an informal or schoolchild's word for food, esp cakes and sweets
   2. ( as modifier )

      a tuck box

5. a position of the body in certain dives in which the legs are bent with the knees drawn up against the chest and tightly clasped

tuck

³

/ tʌk /

noun

1. a touch, blow, or stroke

verb

1. tr to touch or strike
2. intr to throb or bump

Tuck

⁴

/ tʌk /

noun

1. See Friar Tuck

Other Words From

• un·tucked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tuck¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English t(o)uken “to stretch (cloth), torment,” Old English tūcian “to torment”; akin to Middle Low German tucken “to tug,” German zucken “to jerk”; tow ¹

Origin of tuck²

By shortening and respelling

Origin of tuck³

First recorded in 1500–10; earlier tocke, apparently phonetic variant of obsolete stock “sword,” from Italian stocco, from German Stock “stick”; cognate with stock

Origin of tuck⁴

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English tukken “to beat, sound (said of a drum),” from Middle French (north) toker “to strike, touch”; touch

Word History and Origins

Origin of tuck¹

C16: from French estoc sword, from Old French: tree trunk, sword, of Germanic origin

Origin of tuck²

C14: from Old English tūcian to torment; related to Middle Dutch tucken to tug, Old High German zucchen to twitch

Origin of tuck³

C16: from Middle English tukken to beat a drum, from Old Northern French toquer to touch ; compare tucket

Idioms and Phrases

• nip and tuck

Example Sentences

If that’s not your speed, Siam Station is a beloved local Thai street food spot where you can tuck into a hearty pad thai or khao soi, while Helmsman Ale House has fish and chips, wings and a short rib sandwich.

From Los Angeles Times

Another patient, identified in the accusation as Patient D, was interested in a Brazilian Butt Lift, but during an examination the day before her scheduled surgery, Mowlavi recommended that she also get high-definition liposuction, a pubic skin resection and a mini-tummy tuck.

From Los Angeles Times

“Now that’s an exaggeration but it’s a theme. We say, ‘Eyes to the tuck,’ and it’s been a battle to get the receivers to on every catch be intentional, look the ball in until it gets to their elbow.”

From Los Angeles Times

“If they can master eyes to the tuck, then they can master all the nuanced route techniques I’m asking them to do and the finer points of blocking,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Chargers receivers have a mantra that embodies Lal’s exacting attention to detail: Eyes to the tuck.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• insert
• pinch
• wrap