tuck
[verb]
Synonyms:
- push, fold, gather, insert
[noun]
Synonyms:
- fold, gather, pinch, pleat
- food, grub (slang), nosh (slang)

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

Tuck, Friar
⇒ see Friar Tuck

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

I. tuck¹ /tʌk/ verb
[Date: 1400-1500; Origin: tuck 'to stretch cloth over hooks, pull' (13-19 centuries), from Old English tucian 'to treat badly, punish, criticize angrily']

1. [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to push something, especially the edge of a piece of cloth or paper, into or behind something so that it looks tidier or stays in place
tuck something in
Jack tucked his shirt in.
tuck something into/under/behind etc something
She tucked an unruly lock of hair behind her ear.

2. [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to put something into a small space, especially in order to protect, hide, carry, or hold it
tuck something behind/under/into etc something
Giles was tucking his pile of books under his arm.
He took the glasses off and tucked them in his pocket.

3. [transitive] to put a tuck (=special fold) in a piece of clothing
tuck something ↔ away phrasal verb

1. be tucked away
a) if a place is tucked away, it is in a quiet area:
The village of Eyam is tucked away behind the hills.
b) if someone or something is tucked away, they are hidden or difficult to find:
The envelope was tucked away in her jewel box.

2. informal to store something, especially money, in a safe place:
Every member of the family can now tuck away either £9 or £18 a month in one of these savings plans.

3. British English informal to eat a lot of food, usually quickly and with enjoyment
tuck in phrasal verb

1. tuck somebody in to make a child comfortable in bed by arranging the sheets around them

2. tuck something ↔ in to move a part of your body inwards so that it does not stick out so much:
Stand up straight and tuck in your tummy.

3. (also tuck into something) informal to eat something eagerly:
The ice creams came and we tucked in.
They tucked into a hearty breakfast of eggs.
tuck somebody ↔ up phrasal verb

1. to make someone comfortable in bed by arranging the sheets around them:
Dad tucked me up in his and Carrie’s bed.

2. be tucked up in bed informal to be lying or sitting in bed:
I ought to be tucked up in bed now.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. tuck² noun

1. [countable] a narrow flat fold of cloth sewn into a piece of clothing for decoration or to give it a special shape

2. [countable] a small medical operation done to make your face or stomach look flatter and younger:
a tummy tuck

3. [uncountable] British English old-fashioned cakes, sweets etc – used especially by schoolchildren:
the school tuck shop

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

tuck
verb
ADV. carefully, discreetly, neatly | gently | firmly | cosily, safely The children were safely tucked up in bed.
away, in, up The boys tucked their shirts in.
PREP. behind The loos were discreetly tucked away behind a screen of trees.
inside He tucked the map inside his shirt.
into He tucked his trousers neatly into his boots.
under She tucked the newspaper under her arm.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

tuck
̈ɪtʌk
See: nip and tuck

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲