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tug

v. · n.
US //ˈtəɡ// UK //tˈʌɡ// tug
  1. 1 to pull hard (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to pull something with a lot of effort or to pull it several times quickly.

    to pull or drag something with significant effort, or to apply a series of sharp, forceful pulls.

    Example

    The child began to tug on his mother's sleeve to get her attention.

    Example

    The fisherman had to tug firmly on the line to prevent the heavy catch from escaping back into the depths of the lake.
  2. 2 to tow a ship (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Nautical

    to pull a ship or boat using a smaller, powerful boat.

    to tow a vessel by means of a tugboat, typically in restricted waters or harbours.

    Example

    The small boat had to tug the massive tanker into the narrow harbour.

    Example

    Harbour pilots watched as the lead vessel began to tug the disabled freighter toward the safety of the dry dock.
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  1. 3 a strong pull (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a sudden, strong pull on something.

    a sudden, forceful act of pulling.

    Example

    She felt a sharp tug on her fishing line and knew she had caught something.

    Example

    With one final tug, the mechanic managed to loosen the rusted bolt that had been holding up the entire repair process.
  2. 4 a tugboat (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Nautical

    a small, very powerful boat used for pulling much larger ships.

    a small, powerful vessel designed for towing or pushing larger ships, especially in confined water.

    Example

    The tug guided the ocean liner safely to its place at the pier.

    Example

    The fleet of tugs worked in perfect coordination to maneuver the aircraft carrier through the narrow channel during the storm.
    • tugboat
    • towboat
  3. 5 to masturbate (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang Vulgar

    a slang word for touching your own sexual organs for pleasure.

    to engage in masturbation; typically used intransitively or with a reflexive object.

    Example

    He was embarrassed when his roommate walked in while he was having a tug.

    Example

    The script was criticized for its reliance on crude humor, including several unnecessary jokes about characters having a tug in private.

    Usage

    Often used in the phrase 'have a tug' as a noun or 'tug off' as a phrasal verb.
Etymology 1

From Middle English tuggen, toggen, from Old English togian (“to draw, drag”), from Proto-West Germanic togōn, from Proto-Germanic tugōną (“to draw, tear”), from Proto-Indo-European *dewk- (“to pull”). Cognate with Middle Low German togen (“to draw”), Middle High German zogen (“to pull, tear off”), Icelandic toga (“to pull, draw”). Related to tow.

Etymology 2

Related to toga.

Idioms2 entries

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