tuck
B1Neutral to informal, depending on context.
Definition
Meaning
To push, fold, or turn the edges or ends of something into a confined space or to make it neat and secure.
Can refer to a fold sewn into clothing for adjustment, or informally in British English, food such as sweets and cakes (e.g., 'tuck shop').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used with prepositions (e.g., in, into, away); implies an action of securing, hiding, or making something tidy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'tuck' commonly refers to food, especially in contexts like 'tuck shop' (a shop selling sweets). This usage is rare in American English, where 'tuck' is primarily associated with folding or securing.
Connotations
Generally neutral for the verb form; in British English, the food sense has an informal, nostalgic connotation often related to school or childhood.
Frequency
The verb 'tuck' is equally common in both varieties for actions like tucking in clothing. The noun meaning for food is significantly more frequent in British English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
tuck something into somethingtuck something intuck something awaytuck something under somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “tuck in (to start eating eagerly)”
- “nip and tuck (a very close competition)”
- “tuck away (to consume food or drink heartily)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; occasionally used metaphorically, e.g., 'tuck away savings' or 'tuck into a new market'.
Academic
Limited use; might appear in descriptive texts or instructions, e.g., in biology for tucking limbs.
Everyday
Very common for daily activities like tucking in clothes, tucking into meals, or tucking children into bed.
Technical
Used in sewing for fabric folds, in surgery for tuck procedures (e.g., tummy tuck), or in sports like diving for tuck positions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She tucked her blouse into her skirt.
- He tucked the newspaper under his arm before leaving.
American English
- He tucked his shirt into his jeans.
- She tucked the baby in for the night.
adverb
British English
- He tucked the child in warmly.
- She tucked the edges neatly under the mattress.
American English
- She tucked the papers away securely.
- He tucked in the sheets firmly.
adjective
British English
- The tucked-in look is quite smart for school uniforms.
- They stayed in a tucked-away village in the Cotswolds.
American English
- She preferred a tucked-in style for her tops.
- The documents were in a tucked-away folder on the desk.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Tuck your chair under the table after class.
- Mum tucked me into bed last night.
- Can you tuck this label into the package?
- The kids tucked into the cake at the party.
- She tucked her savings away in a high-interest account.
- The dress had a tuck at the waist to improve the fit.
- Investors often tuck capital into stable assets during economic uncertainty.
- The cosmetic surgeon suggested a minor tuck to enhance the facial profile.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'tuck' rhyming with 'duck' – just as a duck tucks its head under its wing, you tuck things into places.
Conceptual Metaphor
Hiding or securing resources for later use, e.g., 'tuck away memories' or 'tuck into reserves'.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- May be confused with 'touch' (касаться) due to phonetic similarity.
- Phrasal verbs like 'tuck in' do not translate directly; Russian might use 'есть с аппетитом' for 'tuck in'.
Common Mistakes
- Omitting necessary prepositions, e.g., saying 'tuck the shirt' instead of 'tuck in the shirt'.
- Using 'tuck' for simple folding without the securing aspect, e.g., 'tuck the paper' instead of 'fold the paper'.
Practice
Quiz
In British English, what does 'tuck shop' typically refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'tuck' can also be a noun, referring to a fold in clothing or, in British English, food like sweets. However, it is most commonly used as a verb.
'Tuck' comes from Middle English 'tukken', meaning to pull or draw, which is of Germanic origin. It is related to Old English 'tucian', meaning to torment or tug.
Use 'tuck in' for starting to eat or securing something (e.g., 'tuck in your shirt'), and 'tuck into' for eating enthusiastically or inserting something (e.g., 'tuck into a meal'). Always pair with an object and appropriate preposition.
Yes, learners often forget prepositions (e.g., 'tuck the blanket' instead of 'tuck in the blanket') or confuse it with similar-sounding words like 'touch'. Practice with collocations can help.