tucked in

USAGE SUMMARY

"tucked in" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or scenario whereby something or someone is tucked or tucked in somewhere or to something. For example, "The little girl was tucked in snugly by her mother before bedtime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everyone tucked in tight.

The New Yorker

Short sleeves look great tucked in!

WikiHow

Ashley Cole tucked in.

Independent

He tucked in his shirttail.

The New York Times

Nothing ever gets tucked in.

The New York Times - Sports

In June they were tucked in.

The New York Times

(He has his shirt tucked in).

The New York Times

My shirt is never completely tucked in".

The New York Times

Is everything tucked in?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Everybody is tucked in.

The Guardian

His shirt was tucked in.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone being put to bed, use "tucked in" to convey a sense of care and comfort. It implies more than just being in bed; it suggests being securely and warmly covered.

Common error

Avoid using "tucked in" for situations that don't involve physical enclosure or covering. For instance, saying "the idea was tucked in the report" is less effective than "included in" or "embedded in".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tucked in" primarily functions as a phrasal verb in the past participle form. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly describes something or someone being enclosed or secured within something else. Examples include shirts being tucked into pants or children being "tucked in" for the night.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

37%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tucked in" is a versatile phrasal verb signifying enclosure, security, or preparation. Predominantly used in News & Media and Wiki contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase accurately describes actions from securing clothing to preparing someone for sleep. While grammatically sound, it's best to avoid using "tucked in" in highly abstract situations where alternatives like "included" or "embedded" are more fitting. Understanding these nuances ensures effective and appropriate usage of "tucked in" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

snuggled in

Emphasizes comfort and closeness, akin to being "tucked in" for warmth and security.

wrapped up

Highlights being covered or bundled, resembling being "tucked in" with blankets.

nestled

Suggests a cozy and protected position, like being "tucked in" a safe space.

enfolded

Implies being completely surrounded or enveloped, similar to being "tucked in" but with a stronger sense of enclosure.

bedded down

Focuses on preparing for sleep, akin to the act of being "tucked in" for the night.

ensconced

Implies being comfortably settled, similar to being "tucked in" a secure location.

securely fastened

Highlights the act of being tightly and safely closed or fixed.

enclosed

Focuses on being surrounded or contained, alike as being "tucked in".

neatly fitted

The emphasis is on tidiness and order, where "tucked in" refers to shirts.

packed away

Highlights storage and preservation, akin to being stored somewhere well.

FAQs

How is "tucked in" used in the context of clothing?

When referring to clothing, "tucked in" describes the act of placing the lower edge of a shirt or garment inside the waistband of pants or a skirt. This is commonly done for a neater appearance.

What are some common situations where you might hear the phrase "tucked in"?

You'll often hear "tucked in" when referring to putting children to bed, describing clothing styles, or describing something being neatly fitted or enclosed in a space.

Is it grammatically correct to say "tucked into" instead of "tucked in"?

While "tucked in" is more common, "tucked into" can be used when specifying where something is being tucked. For example, "The letter was "tucked into" a drawer."

What's a more formal way to say someone was "tucked in"?

Depending on the context, alternatives could include "prepared for sleep", "settled for the night", or "placed in bed". The formality depends on whether you need to emphasize the act of securing them or simply their presence in bed.