Tuck in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Tuck in" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when encouraging someone to start eating or to enjoy their meal. Example: "The food looks delicious, so go ahead and tuck in!" Alternative expressions include "dig in," "enjoy your meal," and "help yourself."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Tuck in, boys.

The New York Times

Tuck in!

WikiHow

Tuck in and enjoy.

Independent

Tuck in your shirt?" she asks him.

The Guardian

Tuck in that shirt, you hippie.

TechCrunch

Tuck in below.

Vice

Tuck in now.

Vice

Tuck in the wings.

WikiHow

Tuck in your shirt.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Tuck-in acquisitions are doable".

The New York Times

Telecare Tuck-In is a component of Telecare; Tuck-In serves VAGLAHS only.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Tuck in" to mean 'start eating', ensure the context involves food or a meal. It implies an invitation or encouragement to begin eating.

Common error

Avoid using "Tuck in" in contexts where a more precise verb is required. For example, instead of saying "Tuck in the wires roughly", use "Neatly tuck in the wires" to convey care and precision.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Tuck in" is a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "tuck" with the particle "in" to create a new meaning. As Ludwig confirms, it can function transitively (e.g., "tuck in your shirt") or intransitively (e.g., "tuck in, boys!").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

50%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Tuck in" is a versatile phrasal verb with several meanings, primarily related to eating, securing, or comforting. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. It's commonly used in informal contexts, as reflected by its prevalence in Wiki and News & Media sources. While alternatives exist, "Tuck in" remains a widely understood and accepted phrase for encouraging someone to start eating, or ensuring something is neatly put away. The meaning should be interpreted according to the context, but generally it is acceptable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Dig in

This alternative is an informal way to encourage someone to start eating enthusiastically.

Start eating

This alternative is a straightforward way to tell someone to begin their meal.

Help yourself

This alternative is a polite way to invite someone to serve themselves food.

Begin eating

This alternative is a more formal way of saying to start eating.

Get started on the food

This alternative explicitly refers to commencing the act of eating.

Get stuck in

This alternative encourages someone to start an activity with enthusiasm.

Fall to

This alternative is a somewhat archaic way to suggest beginning to eat, implying eagerness.

Get started

This alternative is a generic way to indicate the commencement of an action.

Secure the edges

This alternative refers to the action of firmly placing edges of something.

Make yourself comfortable

This alternative encourages comfort and readiness, and is sometimes used before eating.

FAQs

What does "Tuck in" mean?

The phrase "Tuck in" has multiple meanings. It can mean to cover someone snugly with blankets, to secure fabric, or, most commonly, to encourage someone to start eating. The specific meaning depends on the context.

How can I use "Tuck in" in a sentence?

When referring to eating, you can say "Tuck in before the food gets cold". When referring to securing fabric, you might say, "Tuck in your shirt".

What can I say instead of "Tuck in" when referring to food?

You can use alternatives like "dig in", "help yourself", or "start eating" depending on the context.

Is "Tuck in" formal or informal?

"Tuck in" is generally considered informal. In more formal settings, you might say "Please, begin your meal" rather than "tuck in".