/ tʌg; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb ( -gg- )
1.
tug (at / on) sth to pull sth hard, often several times :
[ v ]
She tugged at his sleeve to get his attention.
( figurative )
a sad story that tugs at your heartstrings (= makes you feel sad)
[ vn ]
The baby was tugging her hair.
[ vn - adj ]
He tugged the door open.
2.
[ vn + adv. / prep. ] to pull sth hard in a particular direction :
He tugged the hat down over his head.
➡ note at pull
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IDIOMS
see forelock
■ noun
1.
(also tug·boat / ˈtʌgbəʊt; NAmE -boʊt/) a small powerful boat for pulling ships, especially into a harbour or up a river
2.
a sudden hard pull :
I felt a tug at my sleeve.
She gave her sister's hair a sharp tug.
3.
[ usually sing. ] a sudden strong emotional feeling :
a tug of attraction
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from the base of tow .