to tug
Third Person
tugs
Present Participle
tugging
Past Tense
tugged
Past Participle
tugged
1
to pull with a quick, forceful movement
transitive
- He tugged at the stuck suitcase handle, hoping it would finally open.
- The toddler tugged on her mother's sleeve, trying to get her attention.
- The fisherman tugs on the fishing rod, feeling a strong pull from the other end.
- She is tugging at the stubborn weed, determined to remove it from the garden.
- With a sudden gust of wind, the kite is tugging at the string in his hands.
2
to pull or strive forcefully in a contest or struggle
transitive
- During the tug of war competition, the two teams tugged fiercely at the rope, each vying for victory.
- The horse tugged against the reins, eager to move faster along the trail.
- She tugged at the stuck drawer, determined to retrieve an item lodged within.
3
to cause something to move by applying force with a pulling action
transitive
- She tugged the reluctant horse forward, urging it to cross the stream.
- In a team effort, they tugged the heavy sled across the snowy field.
- With synchronized movements, the rowers tugged their oars through the water.
- The workers tugged the loaded cart along the railway track to transport materials to the construction site.
4
to pull or carry something with effort
transitive
- The porter tugged the heavy luggage up the staircase, careful not to lose balance.
- Farmers tugged sacks of grain across the field.
- The explorer tugged a sled loaded with supplies through the snowy wilderness during the expedition.
- In the construction site, workers tugged construction materials to various locations using a pulley system.
- The firefighter tugged the hose towards the burning building, aiming to control the blaze.
5
to pull or tow a ship using the power and assistance of a tugboat
transitive
- The harbor pilot directed the tugboat to tug the massive container ship into the port.
- The icebreaker tug was specifically designed to tug ships through icy waters, ensuring safe passage.
- To ensure precise maneuvering, the captain relied on the assistance of a skilled crew to tug the ship into position.
- When a ship experiences engine failure, a tug is often called to tug it to a repair facility.
6
to work or strain vigorously and with effort
- In the studio, the artist tugged at the pottery wheel, molding clay into intricate forms.
- The sculptor tugged at the block of marble, shaping it into a masterpiece with each chisel strike.
- In the blacksmith's workshop, the workers tugged at the bellows to stoke the forge for metalworking.
- The rescue team tugged tirelessly at the debris, searching for survivors after the building collapse.
- The farmers tugged at the plow, breaking the soil for planting crops in the expansive field.