tug

C1 · Advanced Nautical Technical

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

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

Español:remolcar

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

“Harbour pilots watched as the lead vessel began to tug the disabled freighter toward the safety of the dry dock.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a sudden, strong pull on something.

n. a sudden, forceful act of pulling.

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

“With one final tug, the mechanic managed to loosen the rusted bolt that had been holding up the entire repair process.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Nautical

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

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

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

“The fleet of tugs worked in perfect coordination to maneuver the aircraft carrier through the narrow channel during the storm.”

C2 · Proficiency Slang · Vulgar

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

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

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

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