Definition of the word suck in

The phrase "suck in" has its origins in the mid-19th century and initially referred to the action of drawing water or air into a container by creating a vacuum. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) provides the first recorded use of "suck in" in this sense in 1848, when it appeared in a publication about naval engineering: "The siphonectic tubes are worked by a suction-pump – or rather by the natural suction of the sea, produced by a glass tube packed tightly about, and sucked in till succumbent." Over time, this use of "suck in" extended to mean drawing in something else, such as air or breath. This meaning is recorded in the OED as early as 1851, as in this quote: "She inhaled a huge 'suck' – all the air she could carry." By the 20th century, "suck in" had taken on a more figurative meaning, used to describe the action of contracting one's stomach to appear smaller or thinner. This sense is first recorded in 1911: "She could 'suck in' astonishingly and she did it with great artistry. Her figure improved by years." The phrase "suck in" has also been used in other figurative senses, such as "suck in" earnings, meaning to cheat or deceive someone out of money, and "suck in" information, meaning to absorb or learn new details quickly. These uses have appeared in published English since the mid-20th century. In summary, the origin of the phrase "suck in" can be traced back to the mid-19th century, where it referred to drawing water or air into a container by creating a vacuum. Over time, it has evolved to describe various actions, from breathing to contracting one's stomach and beyond.