tug

Definition

To pull or drag with great effort.

Etymology

From Middle English tuggen, toggen, from Old English togian (“to draw, drag”), from Proto-West Germanic *togōn, from Proto-Germanic *tugōną (“to draw, tear”), from Proto-Indo-European *dewk- (“to pull”). Cognate with Middle Low German togen (“to draw”), Middle High German zogen (“to pull, tear off”), Icelandic toga (“to pull, draw”). Related to tow.

Example Sentences

• "The police officers tugged the drunkard out of the pub."
• "He lost his patience trying to undo his shoe-lace, but tugging it made the knot even tighter."