[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/tuck/)

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# tuck

verb (tuck, tucks, tucked, tucking); noun (a tuck, tucks — in sewing; tuck — old British word for snacks)

«tuck» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To push the loose edge of something into a place so it is neat and stays there, like a shirt into trousers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tuck/#m1)
2. To put someone, usually a child, into bed and pull the covers snugly around them (tuck in). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tuck/#m2)
3. To put something into a small, safe or hidden place. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tuck/#m3)
4. To pull a part of your body in close, like tucking your knees up to your chest. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tuck/#m4)
5. Tuck in: to start eating food eagerly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tuck/#m5)
6. A tuck is a fold sewn into cloth; in old British school stories «tuck» means sweets and snacks. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tuck/#m6)
7. In old country speech, tuck can also mean to take, to look after, or to fall ill. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tuck/#m7)

### In the lessons

In everyday life it is about neatness and comfort: tuck in your shirt, tuck the blanket, tuck a note in a pocket. In PE and swimming, a «tuck» is a body position with knees pulled to the chest (tuck jump, tuck dive). In safety: tuck in loose clothes and laces near machines and bike chains. Phrases: tuck in, tuck up (in bed), tuck away, tucked away (hidden, out of the way), tuck shop (UK/Australia school snack shop).

### Examples

- Tuck your shirt into your trousers before the photo. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tuck/#x1)
- Mum tucked me in and turned off the light. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tuck/#x2)
- She tucked the letter into her coat pocket. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tuck/#x3)
- The cottage was tucked away behind the hills. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tuck/#x4)
- Do a tuck jump: bring your knees up to your chest. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tuck/#x5)
- Tuck your laces in so they don't catch in the bike chain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tuck/#x6)
- Dinner's ready — tuck in! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tuck/#x7)
- The cat tucked its paws under its body to keep warm. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tuck/#x8)
- We bought crisps at the school tuck shop. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tuck/#x9)
- Is you drowndid w'en yo' ma tucks you in de bed?" [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tuck/#x10)

### Note

Regular verb: tuck, tucked, tucking. «Tuck in» has two meanings: putting someone to bed, and starting to eat — the sentence shows which. «Tuck shop» is used in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, not usually in the USA. Do not confuse with «truck» (a big lorry) or «duck».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «tuck» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tuck/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«tuck» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/tuck.html) on Mova free.