# tug

/ˈtəɡ/ (US) · /tˈʌɡ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tug
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to pull hard

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

- The child began to tug on his mother's sleeve to get her attention.
- The fisherman had to tug firmly on the line to prevent the heavy catch from escaping back into the depths of the lake.

### 2. to tow a ship

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- 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.

### 3. a strong pull

noun · CEFR B2

a sudden, strong pull on something.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. a tugboat

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. to masturbate

verb · CEFR C2 · Slang · Vulgar

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

For teachers: 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.

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

## Examples

- The child tugs on his mother's sleeve.
- The fisherman felt a sharp tug on the line and realized he had finally caught something.
- As the ship drifted away from the pier, the thick ropes began to tug against the iron bollards with a rhythmic, straining sound.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.