~ 1
■ noun
1》 a thin piece of wood that has fallen or been cut off a tree.
↘a ~ used for support in walking or as a weapon.
↘( the ~s ) informal goalposts or cricket stumps.
↘ Nautical, archaic a mast or spar.
2》 (in hockey, polo, etc.) a long, thin implement with a curved head or angled blade, used to hit or direct the ball or puck.
↘( ~s ) (in field hockey) the foul play of raising the ~ above the shoulder.
3》 a long, thin object or piece of something: a ~ of dynamite.
↘a conductor's baton.
↘a gear or control lever.
4》 the threat of punishment as a means of persuasion (as contrasted with the ‘carrot’ or enticement).
↘ Brit. informal severe criticism or treatment.
5》 ( the ~s ) informal, derogatory rural areas.
6》 informal, dated a person of a specified kind: Janet's not a bad old ~.
7》 a small group of soldiers assigned to a particular duty.
8》 a group of bombs or paratroopers dropped from an aircraft.
9》 Stock Exchange a large quantity of unsold stock, especially the proportion of shares which must be taken up by underwriters after an unsuccessful issue.
Phrases
up ~s Brit. informal go to live elsewhere. [from naut. sl. to up ~s 'set up a boat's mast' (ready for departure).]
Origin
OE sticca 'peg, ~, spoon', of W. Gmc origin.
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~ 2
■ verb ( past and past participle stuck )
1》 insert, thrust, or push (an object or its point) into or through something.
↘( ~ in/into/through ) be or remain fixed with its point embedded in.
↘stab or pierce with a sharp object.
2》 put somewhere in a quick or careless way.
↘ informal used to express angry dismissal of a particular thing: they can ~ the job.
3》 protrude or extend in a certain direction.
4》 adhere or cause to adhere.
5》 ( be stuck ) be fixed in a particular position or unable to move or be moved.
↘be unable to progress with a task or find the answer or solution.
↘( be stuck for ) be at a loss for or in need of.
↘( be stuck with ) informal be unable to get rid of or escape from.
↘( be stuck on ) informal be infatuated with.
6》 Brit. informal accept; tolerate; endure: I can't ~ Geoffrey.
↘( ~ at ) informal persevere with (a task or endeavour).
↘( ~ it out ) informal put up with or persevere with something difficult or disagreeable.
Phrases
get stuck in (or into ) Brit. informal start doing something with determination.
~ in one's throat (or craw ) be difficult or impossible to accept.
~ it to informal, chiefly N. Amer. treat harshly.
~ one's neck out informal risk incurring criticism or anger by acting or speaking boldly.
Phrasal verbs
~ around informal remain in or near a place.
~ by continue to support or be loyal to.
~ something on informal place the blame for a mistake or wrongdoing on.
~ out be extremely noticeable.
~ out for refuse to accept less than.
~ to continue or confine oneself to doing, using, or practising.
~ together informal remain united or mutually loyal.
~ someone/thing up informal rob someone or something at gunpoint.
~ up for support or defend.
~ with informal persevere or continue with.
Derivatives
~ability noun
Origin
OE stician , of Gmc origin.