Definition of the word tug

Pronunciation of vocabulary tug

tugverb
sự kéo mạnh
/tʌɡ//tʌɡ/

Origin of the word tug

The word "tug" originally referred to a small boat used to pull larger vessels, such as sailing ships or barges, through narrow channels or harbors where larger ships couldn't maneuver. The term likely derives from the Old Norse word "tyggr," which means "to pull, to draw," and was brought to England by the Vikings during their invasions of the 9th and 10th centuries. The term "tug" as a noun for this type of boat began to appear in English texts in the 16th century, and by the 19th century, it had evolved to also refer to steam-powered vessels used for this purpose. Today, the term "tug" primarily refers to towboats, which are used to tow larger vessels through waterways where sail or motor power isn't sufficient.

Vocabulary summary tug

type noun

meaning tug, jerk

example we tugged so hard that the rope broke

example to tug at the oars

example the dog tugged at the leash

meaning (nautical) (like) tugboat

type transitive verb

meaning pull, drag

example we tugged so hard that the rope broke

example to tug at the oars

example the dog tugged at the leash

meaning (nautical) tow, pull

Example of vocabulary tugnamespace

to pull something hard, often several times

kéo cái gì đó cứng, thường là nhiều lần

She tugged at his sleeve to get his attention.
Cô kéo tay áo anh để thu hút sự chú ý của anh.
The baby was tugging her hair.
Con bé đang giật tóc cô.
He tugged the door open.
Anh kéo mạnh cánh cửa mở ra.
The little puppy tugged eagerly on its owner's pant leg, begging to be taken for a walk.
Chú chó con háo hức kéo ống quần của chủ nhân, nài nỉ được dắt đi dạo.
The fisherman's line tugged lightly as a fish nibbled at the bait.
Dây câu của người đánh cá giật nhẹ khi một con cá cắn mồi.

Extra examples:

Alexis was up in a flash, tugging on his arm.
Alexis đứng dậy trong nháy mắt, kéo mạnh cánh tay anh.
She playfully tugged at his shirt.
Cô tinh nghịch kéo áo anh.
He tugged harder, but it was caught fast.
Anh ta kéo mạnh hơn, nhưng nó đã bị bắt lại rất nhanh.

to pull something/somebody hard in a particular direction

kéo mạnh cái gì/ai đó theo một hướng cụ thể

He tugged the hat down over his head.
Anh kéo chiếc mũ xuống qua đầu.

Extra examples:

She tried to escape but he tugged her back.
Cô cố gắng trốn thoát nhưng anh kéo cô lại.
His mother was tugging him along by the hand.
Mẹ cậu kéo cậu đi bằng tay.
Annie appeared, tugging her little sister by the arm.
Annie xuất hiện, kéo tay em gái mình.

Words, synonyms, related vocabulary tug

Idioms of vocabulary tug

touch/tug your forelock (to somebody)

(British English, disapproving)to show too much respect for somebody of a higher class, especially because you are anxious about what they think of you