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tuck up

B1 informal separable both
In simple words

To make someone cosy in bed by pulling the blankets around them tightly, or to pull your legs up close to your body.

Literal meaning: To fold or push fabric upward and around something.

Meanings

1 A2 informal

(British) To make someone, especially a child, warm and comfortable in bed by pulling covers snugly around them.

"Grandma tucked the twins up and read them a story."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral

To draw one's legs up close to the body while lying or sitting.

"She tucked her legs up under her and settled into the armchair with a book."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic informal

(British, informal, passive) To be safely settled or hidden away somewhere comfortable.

"They were all tucked up at home while the storm raged outside."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Chiefly British English. 'Tuck up in bed' is a very common collocation. Can also be used reflexively ('tuck yourself up'). In the body-position sense, it is intransitive.

Commonly used with

bed blanket children warm cosy safely

Forms

Base
tuck up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tucks up
he/she/it
Past simple
tucked up
yesterday
Past participle
tucked up
have + pp
-ing form
tucking up
continuous

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