Main Entry: ¹suck

Pronunciation: \ˈsək\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English suken, from Old English sūcan; akin to Old High German sūgan to suck, Latin sugere

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 a : to draw (as liquid) into the mouth through a suction force produced by movements of the lips and tongue <sucked milk from his mother's breast> b : to draw something from or consume by such movements <suck an orange> <suck a lollipop> c : to apply the mouth to in order to or as if to suck out a liquid <sucked his burned finger>
2 a : to draw by or as if by suction <when a receding wave sucks the sand from under your feet — Kenneth Brower> <inadvertently sucked into the…intrigue — Martin Levin> b : to take in and consume by or as if by suction <a vacuum cleaner sucking up dirt> <suck up a few beers> <opponents say that malls suck the life out of downtown areas — Michael Knight>intransitive verb 1 : to draw something in by or as if by exerting a suction force; especially : to draw milk from a breast or udder with the mouth
2 : to make a sound or motion associated with or caused by suction <his pipe sucked wetly> <flanks sucked in and out, the long nose resting on his paws — Virginia Woolf>
3 : to act in an obsequious manner <when they want votes…the candidates come sucking around — W. G. Hardy> —usually used with up <sucked up to the boss>
4 slang : to be objectionable or inadequate <our lifestyle sucks — Playboy> <people who went said it sucked — H. S. Thompson>

— suck it up : to make the effort required to do or deal with something difficult or unpleasant