Meaning of tug in English

Table of contents

Verb
tug
Etymology
Middle English: from the base of tow. The noun is first recorded (late Middle English) in tug (sense 3 of the noun)
Definitions
1. pull hard
Examples
- « The prisoner tugged at the chains »
- « This movie tugs at the heart strings »
Derived terms
2. strive and make an effort to reach a goal
Examples
- « She tugged for years to make a decent living »
- « We have to push a little to make the deadline! »
- « She is driving away at her doctoral thesis »
Derived terms
3. tow (a vessel) with a tug
Examples
- « The tugboat tugged the freighter into the harbor »
Derived terms
4. carry with difficulty
Examples
- « You'll have to lug this suitcase »
Derived terms
5. move by pulling hard
Examples
- « The horse finally tugged the cart out of the mud »
Derived terms
6. pull or strain hard at
Examples
- « Each oar was tugged by several men »
Derived terms
- jerk
7. struggle in opposition
Examples
- « She tugged and wrestled with her conflicts »
Noun
tug
Definitions
1. a sudden abrupt pull
Derived terms
2. a powerful small boat designed to pull or push larger ships
Derived terms
- tow

Famous quotes

« I hope to one day co-sign a lease with another person but, well, it doesn't plague me that I have yet to do so. Put it this way: I've never had to violently tug at my own pillow at 2 A.M. to get myself to stop snoring. »
Sloane Crosley
« I will not play tug o' war. I'd rather play hug o' war. Where everyone hugs instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles and rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, and everyone grins, and everyone cuddles, and everyone wins. »
Shel Silverstein
« It's an interesting combination: Having a great fear of being alone, and having a desperate need for solitude and the solitary experience. That's always been a tug of war for me. »
Jodie Foster
« You need to overcome the tug of people against you as you reach for high goals. »
George S. Patton