Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act of pulling something quickly to remove it or make a sound: A quick, sharp pull, often to remove something or to make a musical string vibrate.
   • Courage and determination in the face of difficulty: The quality of being brave and showing spirit, especially when success is uncertain.

2. Verb:

   • To pull something quickly to remove or gather it: To pick or pull off flowers, fruit, feathers, or hairs with a swift motion.
   • To pull and release a string to make a sound: To play a stringed instrument by pulling the strings with the fingers.
   • To pull something sharply: To take hold of something and pull it quickly and firmly.
   • To summon or gather courage: To make a conscious effort to be brave.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Courage):

  • It took a lot of pluck to stand up to the bully.
  • She showed remarkable pluck in starting her own business.

• Verb (To remove by pulling):

  • He plucked a rose from the garden.
  • Before cooking, you must pluck the feathers from the chicken.

• Verb (To play a string instrument):

  • The musician plucked the strings of the harp gently.

• Verb (To pull sharply):

  • She plucked the letter from my hands before I could read it.

Advanced Usage and Idioms

• To pluck up (the) courage: To force yourself to be brave enough to do something.

  • I finally plucked up the courage to ask for a promotion.

• Pluck at (something): To pull lightly and repeatedly at something.

  • The child plucked at her mother's sleeve to get her attention.

Variants and Related Words

• Plucky (adjective): Brave and determined.
  • The plucky young reporter wasn't afraid to ask tough questions.

Synonyms

• Noun (Courage): Bravery, courage, grit, mettle, spirit.
• Verb (To pull): Pick, pull, tug, snatch, yank.
• Verb (To play strings): Strum, pick, twang.

Phrasal Verbs

• Pluck out: To remove something by pulling it.
  • The dentist had to pluck out the damaged tooth.
• Pluck from: To rescue or remove someone from a situation.
  • He was plucked from obscurity to become a movie star.

Noun

1. the act of pulling and releasing a taut cord
2. the trait of showing courage and determination in spite of possible loss or injury

Verb

1. look for and gather
   • pick mushrooms
   • pick flowers
2. strip of feathers
   • pull a chicken
   • pluck the capon
3. pull lightly but sharply with a plucking motion
   • he plucked the strings of his mandolin
4. rip off; ask an unreasonable price
5. sell something to or obtain something from by energetic and especially underhanded activity
6. pull or pull out sharply
   • pluck the flowers off the bush