tuck

tuck¹ [tʌk] v

[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.) [T 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 sth in

▪ Jack tucked his shirt in.

tuck sth into/under/behind etc sth

▪ She tucked an unruly lock of hair behind her ear.

2.) [T always + adverb/preposition]

to put something into a small space, especially in order to protect, hide, carry, or hold it

tuck sth behind/under/into etc sth

▪ Giles was tucking his pile of books under his arm.

▪ He took the glasses off and tucked them in his pocket.

3.) [T]

to put a ↑tuck (=special fold) in a piece of clothing

tuck away [tuck sth<=>away] phr v

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.) BrE informal to eat a lot of food, usually quickly and with enjoyment

tuck in phr v

1.) tuck sb in

to make a child comfortable in bed by arranging the sheets around them

2.) tuck sth<=>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 sth

informal to eat something eagerly

▪ The ice creams came and we tucked in.

▪ They tucked into a hearty breakfast of eggs.

tuck up [tuck sb<=>up] phr v

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.

tuck ²

tuck² n

1.)

a narrow flat fold of cloth sewn into a piece of clothing for decoration or to give it a special shape

2.)

a small medical operation done to make your face or stomach look flatter and younger

▪ a tummy tuck

3.) [U] BrE old-fashioned cakes, sweets etc - used especially by schoolchildren

▪ the school tuck shop