untuck

[ uhn-tuhk ]

/ ʌnˈtʌk /

verb (used with object)

to release from or bring out of a tucked condition: She untucked her legs.

Nearby words

untrue, untruss, untrustworthy, untruth, untruthful, untuck, untune, unturned, untutored, untwine, untwist

Origin of untuck

First recorded in 1605–15; un-² + tuck¹

Definition for untucked (2 of 2)

tuck

[ tuhk ]

/ tʌk /

verb (used with object)

to put into a small, close, or concealing place: Tuck the money into your wallet.

to thrust in the loose end or edge of (a garment, covering, etc.) so as to hold closely in place (usually followed by in, up, under, etc.): Tuck in your blouse. Tuck the edge of the sheet under the mattress.

to cover snugly in or as if in this manner: She tucked the children into bed.

to pull up into a fold or folds; draw up into a folded arrangement (usually followed by in, up, etc.): to tuck up one's skirts; to tuck one's knees under one's chin.

Needlework. to sew tucks in.

to pass (a strand) above or below another one.

Informal. to eat or drink (usually followed by in, away, etc.): He tucked away a big meal.

verb (used without object)

to draw together; contract; pucker.

Needlework. to make tucks.

to fit securely or snugly: a bed that tucks into the corner.

noun

something tucked or folded in.

Sewing. a fold, or one of a series of folds, made by doubling cloth upon itself and stitching parallel with the edge of the fold, used for decoration or for shortening or fitting a garment.

Diving, Gymnastics. a body position in which the head is lowered and the thighs held against the chest with the knees bent and the arms locked around the shins.Compare layout(def 10), pike⁷.

Skiing. a crouch in which the ski poles are held close to the chest, extending back under the arms and parallel to the ground, as to maximize speed downhill.

Informal. a plastic surgery operation: a tummy tuck.

Nautical. the part of a vessel where the after ends of the outside planking or plating unite at the sternpost.

(in tying knots) the operation of passing one strand above or below another.

British Slang. food.

Verb Phrases

tuck into, to eat with gusto: We tucked into a roast beef dinner.

Origin of tuck

before 900; Middle English t(o)uken to stretch (cloth), torment, Old English tūcian to torment; akin to Middle Low German tucken to tug, German zucken to jerk. See tow¹

Related forms

un·tucked, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for untucked

In the middle of the fray he took off his uniform shirt, untucked his t-shirt, and put his gun in the back of his belt.
In Egypt’s Countryside, Vendettas Between Police and Islamists Simmer|Mike Giglio, Christopher Dickey|October 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Sitting relaxed in a blazer and untucked shirt, he talked about what draws him to such combustible roles.
Woody Harrelson on ‘Rampart’|Richard Rushfield|January 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
As he stepped out, he removed his employee badge and untucked his shirt.
Makers|Cory Doctorow
He untucked his head from under his wing and chirrupped drowsily.
The Divine Fire|May Sinclair

The spider took off his spectacles (or untucked his legs), and took a sideways run out of his corner.
The Land of Lost Toys|Juliana Horatia Ewing

British Dictionary definitions for untucked (1 of 5)

tuck

/ (tʌk) /

verb

(tr) to push or fold into a small confined space or concealed place or between two surfacesto tuck a letter into an envelope

(tr) to thrust the loose ends or sides of (something) into a confining space, so as to make neat and secureto tuck the sheets under the mattress

to make a tuck or tucks in (a garment)

(usually tr) to draw together, contract, or pucker

noun

a tucked object or part

a pleat or fold in a part of a garment, usually stitched down so as to make it a better fit or as decoration

the part of a vessel where the after ends of the planking or plating meet at the sternpost

British

an informal or schoolchild's word for food, esp cakes and sweets
(as modifier)a tuck box

a position of the body in certain dives in which the legs are bent with the knees drawn up against the chest and tightly clasped

Word Origin for tuck

C14: from Old English tūcian to torment; related to Middle Dutch tucken to tug, Old High German zucchen to twitch

British Dictionary definitions for untucked (2 of 5)

tuck

/ (tʌk) /

noun

archaic a rapier

Word Origin for tuck

C16: from French estoc sword, from Old French: tree trunk, sword, of Germanic origin

British Dictionary definitions for untucked (3 of 5)

tuck

/ (tʌk) dialect /

noun

a touch, blow, or stroke

verb

(tr) to touch or strike

(intr) to throb or bump

Word Origin for tuck

C16: from Middle English tukken to beat a drum, from Old Northern French toquer to touch; compare tucket

British Dictionary definitions for untucked (4 of 5)

Tuck

/ (tʌk) /

noun

See Friar Tuck

British Dictionary definitions for untucked (5 of 5)

untuck

/ (ʌnˈtʌk) /

verb

to become or cause to become loose or not tucked into untuck the blankets

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with untucked

tuck

In addition to the idioms beginning with tuck

tuck away
tuck in
tuck into

also see:

nip and tuck