I. tuck 1 /tʌk/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Origin: tuck 'to stretch cloth over hooks, pull' (13-19 centuries) , from Old English tucian 'to treat badly, punish, criticize angrily' ]
1 . [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to push something, especially the edge of a piece of cloth or paper, into or behind something so that it looks tidier or stays in place
tuck something in
Jack tucked his shirt in.
tuck something into/under/behind etc something
She tucked an unruly lock of hair behind her ear.
2 . [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to put something into a small space, especially in order to protect, hide, carry, or hold it
tuck something behind/under/into etc something
Giles was tucking his pile of books under his arm.
He took the glasses off and tucked them in his pocket.
3 . [transitive] to put a ↑ tuck (=special fold) in a piece of clothing
tuck something ↔ away phrasal verb
1 . be tucked away
a) if a place is tucked away, it is in a quiet area:
The village of Eyam is tucked away behind the hills.
b) if someone or something is tucked away, they are hidden or difficult to find:
The envelope was tucked away in her jewel box.
2 . informal to store something, especially money, in a safe place:
Every member of the family can now tuck away either £9 or £18 a month in one of these savings plans.
3 . British English informal to eat a lot of food, usually quickly and with enjoyment
tuck in phrasal verb
1 . tuck somebody in to make a child comfortable in bed by arranging the sheets around them
2 . tuck something ↔ in to move a part of your body inwards so that it does not stick out so much:
Stand up straight and tuck in your tummy.
3 . ( also tuck into something ) informal to eat something eagerly:
The ice creams came and we tucked in.
They tucked into a hearty breakfast of eggs.
tuck somebody ↔ up phrasal verb
1 . to make someone comfortable in bed by arranging the sheets around them:
Dad tucked me up in his and Carrie’s bed.
2 . be tucked up in bed informal to be lying or sitting in bed:
I ought to be tucked up in bed now.
II. tuck 2 BrE AmE noun
1 . [countable] a narrow flat fold of cloth sewn into a piece of clothing for decoration or to give it a special shape
2 . [countable] a small medical operation done to make your face or stomach look flatter and younger:
a tummy tuck
3 . [uncountable] British English old-fashioned cakes, sweets etc – used especially by schoolchildren:
the school tuck shop