Tug at Meaning in English
expression
ˈtəɡ/ /ˈæt
TUHG-at
tˈʌɡ/ /ˈæt
TUG-at
Definition
To pull something gently or repeatedly, often with some effort; also used figuratively to describe something affecting your emotions.
Usage & Nuances
Often used for physically tugging things (clothes, sleeves), but also as 'tug at one's heartstrings' to mean something deeply emotional. The object is what is being pulled or affected. More gentle and repetitive than 'pull'.
Spanish: tirar de - halar dePortuguese (BR): puxar em - puxarPortuguese (PT): puxar em - puxarChinese (Simplified): 拉扯 - 牵动Chinese (Traditional): 拉扯 - 牽動Hindi: खींचनाArabic: يشد على - يجذبBengali: টান মারা - নাগাড়ে টান দেওয়া - হৃদয়ে টান অনুভব করানোRussian: дёргать - слегка тянуть - тронуть (за душу)Japanese: 軽く引っ張る - しきりに引く - 心に響くVietnamese: kéo nhẹ - kéo đều - lay động cảm xúcKorean: 가볍게 잡아당기다 - 반복적으로 당기다 - 심금을 울리다Turkish: hafifçe çekmek - tekrar tekrar çekmek - duygularına dokunmakUrdu: ہلکے سے کھینچنا - بار بار کھینچنا - دل کو چھوناIndonesian: menarik perlahan - menarik berulang kali - menyentuh hati
Example Sentences
The little boy tugged at his mother's sleeve.
basic
She tugged at the rope to see if it was strong.
basic
The puppy keeps tugging at my shoelaces.
basic
That sad movie really tugged at my heartstrings.
natural
He jokingly tugged at my jacket to get my attention.
natural
Memories of home always tug at me when I'm far away.
natural