tug at vs tug on

Both 'tug at' and 'tug on' are correct phrases, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Tug at' is often used when referring to emotions or heartstrings, while 'tug on' is more commonly used when physically pulling or tugging something.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 441 views

The phrase 'tug at' is correct and commonly used in English, especially when referring to emotions or heartstrings.

"tug at"

The phrase 'tug at' is used to describe an emotional response or a feeling of being pulled or affected by something, often in a figurative sense.

Examples:

The movie's ending really tugged at my heartstrings.
The sad story tugged at her emotions.
The painting tugs at the viewer's sense of nostalgia.

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Say what you will about Winifred, she knows how to tug at the heartstrings.
You know, some music to tug at the heartstrings.
She loves to tug at people's heartstrings.
I felt something tug at my leg.
And try not to tug at your shirt collar.
Simon says tug at your ear.
"they tug at my hand... it scares me so"
You're really starting to tug at my heartstrings, kid.
Memorise a few talking points, tug at their heartstrings, boom, you're in. Problem solved.
With all that power going through the front wheels, there is a bit of tug at the steering wheel, that's to be expected, and the ride is quite bouncy.
Redemption, tugs at the heartstrings.
Always tugs at the heart strings.
This is something that particularly tugs at my heartstrings, including as a woman, as it also concerns me and the other women in this Chamber.
Post guards at Tug's hospital room.
You always sucked at tug of war.
Phillips' gang raided services at the tug fork church, seized Tom Chambers and the Mahon brothers, smacked preacher Garrett for no apparent reason.
- tugs operating in harbour areas.
A tug Captain called it in.
"Blood analysis of Tug during perfume robbery...
So one tug, they'll come off.

Alternatives:

pull at
touch on
stir up
evoke
affect

The phrase 'tug on' is correct and commonly used in English, especially when referring to physically pulling or tugging something.

"tug on"

The phrase 'tug on' is used when describing a physical action of pulling or tugging on something, such as a rope or a piece of clothing.

Examples:

She tugged on the rope to hoist the flag.
He tugged on his jacket to straighten it.
The child tugged on her mother's sleeve to get her attention.

Show examples from the web [+]

Typically, you tug on your clothing when you have an increased level of anxiety.
We'll just tug on his heartstrings a little.
One tug on the rope means pull up slowly.
Look, that clip is supposed to release when you tug on that line.
He said he'd tug on the rope.
Staring straight down at the kids, so they can tug on Mom's arm and make her buy a box.
For an extra penny, they could open the box and a man might tug on her.
But we can't feel its tug on Earth... since we orbit the galaxy far away from the center.
They call you "mommy" to try to tug on your heartstrings.
I want you to take a big old tug on that baby.
You massage the teat, and then you gently tug on it.
When I reach to tug on my ear, but stop myself?
Tug on her hair and stick a tongue in her ear.
Tug on the purse strings, you'll find a lady's heart.
They will play on your sympathies, tug on your heart-strings.
You should go find that same kid that Eddie used at the end of the movie, tug on her heartstrings a little.
You don't tug on superman's cape Tug on it You don't spit into the wind
Now, retired or not that has really got to tug on the old short and curlies.
If she like-likes you, she'll tug on your shirt sleeve. What?
I'll tug on the licorice twice and you'll pull me back up, okay?

Alternatives:

pull on
yank on
drag on
haul on
jerk on

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tug at vs tug on

"tug at"

"tug on"

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