- 1[intransitive, transitive] to pull something hard, often several times tug (at/on something) She tugged at his sleeve to get his attention. (figurative) a sad story that tugs at your heartstrings (= makes you feel sad) tug something The baby was tugging her hair. tug something + adj. He tugged the door open.
- 2[transitive] tug something + adv./prep. to pull something hard in a particular direction He tugged the hat down over his head. Thesauruspull
- drag
- draw
- haul
- tow
- tug
- pull to hold something and move it in a particular direction; to hold or be attached to a vehicle and move it along behind you:Pull the chair closer to the table. They use horses to pull their carts.
- drag to pull someone or something in a particular direction or behind you, usually along the ground, and especially with effort:The sack is too heavy to lift—you'll have to drag it.
- draw (formal) to move someone or something by pulling them/it gently; to pull a vehicle such as a carriage:I drew my chair closer to the fire. a horse-drawn carriage
- haul to pull someone or something to a particular place with a lot of effort:Liz hauled her suitcase up the stairs.
- You usually drag something behind you along the ground; you usually haul something toward you, often upward toward you. Dragging something often needs effort, but hauling something always does.
- tow to pull a car, boat, or light plane behind another vehicle, using a rope or chain:Our car was towed away by the police.
- tug to pull someone or something hard in a particular direction:The boy tugged at his father's sleeve.
- to pull/drag/draw/haul/tow somebody/something along/down/toward something
- to pull/drag/draw/haul/tow somebody/something behind you
- to pull/drag/draw/haul a cart/sled
- to pull/draw a coach/carriage
- to pull/haul/tow a trailer
- horses pull/draw/haul something
- dogs pull/drag/haul something
tug
verbNAmE//tʌɡ//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they tug he / she / it tugs
past simple tugged
-ing form tugging
Check pronunciation: tug