Definition

1. Noun:

   • A narrow, flattened fold sewn into fabric: A "tuck" is a small fold of fabric that is stitched in place, often used to adjust the fit or for decoration on clothing.
   • A bodily position in sports: In sports like diving or gymnastics, a "tuck" is a position where the knees are bent and pulled tightly to the chest, making the body compact.
   • (Informal, British) Food, especially sweets and snacks: Used informally to refer to tasty food items.

2. Verb:

   • To push, fold, or turn the edges of something inward or into a confined space: The primary action of making something neat, secure, or hidden by folding or placing it inside something else.
   • To make one or more folds in fabric: To sew or press a fold into material.
   • To fit snugly into a small or confined space: To be placed or to place something neatly and tightly into a specific spot.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:

  • The dress has a tuck at the waist to give it more shape. (The decorative fold is sewn into the waist.)
  • The diver performed a perfect tuck before entering the water. (The diver adopted the compact body position.)
  • (British informal) He went to the shop to buy some tuck for the journey. (He bought some snacks.)

• Verb:

  • Please tuck your shirt into your trousers. (Push the shirt neatly inside the trousers.)
  • She decided to tuck the blanket around the sleeping child. (She folded the edges of the blanket securely around the child.)
  • This drawer is designed to tuck neatly under the desk. (The drawer fits snugly into the space.)

Advanced Usage and Phrases

• Tuck in:

  • To make someone, especially a child, comfortable in bed by arranging the bedding around them.

    • I'll read you a story and then tuck you in.
  • (Informal) To eat food heartily.

    • After the hike, they all tucked in to a big meal.

• Tuck away:

  • To store something in a safe or hidden place.

    • She has a fortune tucked away in a savings account.
  • (Informal) To eat a lot of food.

    • He can really tuck away a large pizza!

• Tuck up:

  • To fold or arrange bedclothes around someone.

    • The nurse tucked up the patient.
  • To pull or fold something, like sleeves, upward.

    • He tucked up his sleeves before washing the dishes.

Variants and Related Words

• Tucker (noun, informal, chiefly Australian/NZ): Food.
  • I'm off to get some tucker.
• Tucked (adjective): Describing something that is neatly placed or fitted.
  • A tucked-in shirt. A village tucked away in the hills.

Synonyms

• Verb: Insert, fold, push, stash, store, pleat.
• Noun: Fold, pleat, crease; (food) snacks, treats, goodies.

Idioms and Common Expressions

• Nip and tuck: Very close or evenly matched, especially in a competition.
  • The race was nip and tuck until the final lap.
• Tuck into (something): To start eating something eagerly.
  • He tucked into his breakfast as soon as it arrived.

Noun

1. a straight sword with a narrow blade and two edges
2. a narrow flattened pleat or fold that is stitched in place
3. (sports) a bodily position adopted in some sports (such as diving or skiing) in which the knees are bent and the thighs are drawn close to the chest
4. eatables (especially sweets)

Verb

1. draw together into folds or puckers
2. make a tuck or several folds in
   • tuck the fabric
   • tuck in the sheet
3. fit snugly into
   • insert your ticket into the slot
   • tuck your shirttail in