suck
C2Predominantly informal; often vulgar in slang usage.
Definition
Meaning
To draw into the mouth using a vacuum created by the tongue and lips.
To be extremely bad, unpleasant, or disappointing; to perform a task poorly; to draw in or absorb; to perform fellatio or cunnilingus (slang, vulgar).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary, literal meaning (to draw liquid/air) is neutral. The slang meaning expressing poor quality is highly informal but widespread, especially among younger speakers. The sexual slang meaning is vulgar and considered offensive in polite company.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use all meanings. The slang pejorative meaning ('that sucks') is slightly more established and less marked in American English. British speakers may be more likely to use euphemisms like 'that's rubbish'.
Connotations
In American English, 'sucks' as a general pejorative is very common in casual speech among all ages. In British English, while understood and used, it can still retain a slight American flavour or be perceived as slightly more forceful/crude than alternatives.
Frequency
Higher frequency of pejorative slang usage in American casual speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] suck [NP] (transitive)[NP] suck (intransitive)suck [NP] adjective (e.g., suck dry)suck up [NP] (phrasal verb)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “suck it up (endure something unpleasant)”
- “suck up to someone (flatter obsequiously)”
- “suck the air out of the room (dominate a situation)”
- “suck a lemon (have a sour expression)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare and only in highly informal settings (e.g., 'This quarter's sales suck.'). Avoid in formal reports.
Academic
Only in literal, technical contexts (e.g., biology: 'The plant sucks nutrients from the soil.').
Everyday
Very common for the pejorative slang meaning in informal conversation among friends/family.
Technical
Used literally in engineering ('the pump sucks fluid'), medicine ('suck out poison'), etc.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The hoover will suck up all the crumbs.
- Don't suck up to the teacher; it's obvious.
- This weather sucks.
American English
- The vacuum will suck up all the crumbs.
- Don't suck up to the professor; it's obvious.
- This traffic sucks.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used as adverb)
American English
- (Rarely used as adverb)
adjective
British English
- He's a suck-up colleague. (informal)
- It was a sucky film. (very informal, slang)
American English
- He's a suck-up coworker. (informal)
- It was a sucky movie. (very informal, slang)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby likes to suck her thumb.
- I suck the juice from the orange.
- Plants suck water from the ground.
- This vacuum cleaner sucks up dirt very well.
- The company's poor policies suck the motivation out of the staff.
- He's always sucking up to the boss to get a promotion.
- The documentary exposed how the industry sucks the region dry of its natural resources.
- The politician was accused of sucking up to corporate lobbyists.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a baby with a dummy (UK) / pacifier (US). The sound it makes while SUCKing is 'suck-suck-suck'.
Conceptual Metaphor
BAD IS A VACUUM / BAD IS A WASTE OF AIR (e.g., 'This movie sucks.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'сак' (sak).
- The sexual meaning is as strong/vulgar as the Russian equivalent, not a mild curse.
- Translating 'that sucks' directly into Russian often sounds unnatural; 'это отстой' or 'это полный провал' are closer colloquial equivalents.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I am sucking my drink.' (Use 'drinking through a straw'.)
- Overusing the slang pejorative in formal contexts.
- Confusing 'suck up' (absorb) with 'suck up to' (flatter).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'suck' be INAPPROPRIATE in a formal business meeting?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In most informal contexts among peers, it is not considered offensive, just very casual. However, it should be avoided in formal, professional, or polite company as it is still seen as mildly vulgar by some.
'Suck at' specifies a lack of skill in a particular area (e.g., 'I suck at chess'). Just 'suck' is a more general evaluation of poor quality (e.g., 'This pizza sucks').
Rarely. In extreme slang, 'that sucks' can be used ironically for something very good, but this is highly context-dependent and not standard. The literal meaning (e.g., 'the pump sucks in fuel') is neutral.
It is a blunt, informal command meaning 'endure hardship without complaint.' It can be perceived as dismissive or rude if said to someone in genuine distress, but among friends or in motivational contexts (e.g., sports), it can be seen as tough encouragement.