tuck

1 verb

1 (transitive always + adv/prep) to push the edge of a piece of cloth or paper into something so that it looks tidier or stays in place: tuck sth into/under: Nick was tucking his shirt into his trousers when she walked in.

2 (transitive always + adv/prep) to put something into a small space, especially in order to protect or hide it: tuck sth behind/under/into sth: I tucked the letter into my bag.

3 (T) to put a tuck (=a special fold) in a piece of clothing

tuck sth away phrasal verb (T)

1 be tucked (away) somewhere

a) if a place is tucked away it is in a quiet area: The inn was tucked away in a remote mountain village.

b) if someone or something is tucked away they are hidden or difficult to find: The key to the cellar was tucked away at the back of the shelf.

2 informal to store something, especially money, in a safe place: Over the years, she had tucked away over -2000.

3 informal to eat a lot of food, usually quickly and with enjoyment: I watched as he tucked away a huge plate of pie.

tuck in phrasal verb

1 (I) informal especially BrE to eat eagerly: Come on everyone, tuck in!

2 (transitive tuck someone in) to make a child comfortable in bed by arranging the sheets around them: I'll come up and tuck you in in a minute.

3 (transitive tuck something in) to put the edge of a piece of clothing, paper etc inside something so that it looks tidier or stays in place: The blanket was too short to tuck in at the bottom.

4 (transitive tuck something in) to move a part of your body inwards so that it does not stick out so much: When you dive, keep your elbows tucked in.

tuck into sth phrasal verb (T) informal to eat something eagerly: They were tucking into the Christmas turkey. tuck sb up phrasal verb (T)

1 to make a child comfortable in bed by arranging the sheets around them

2 be tucked up informal to be lying or sitting in bed: He was tucked up in bed doing a crossword.

2 noun

1 (C) a narrow flat fold of cloth sewn into a piece of clothing for decoration or to give it a special shape

2 (U) BrE old-fashioned a word for cakes, sweets etc used especially by schoolchildren

3 (C) a small medical operation done to make your face or stomach look flatter and younger: tiny tucks behind her ears