§ Where you actually hear this word — work, school, news
§ In a Work Environment
In a professional work environment, you are highly unlikely to encounter the informal meaning of “suck” as an expletive. Professional settings generally demand formal and respectful language. However, the literal meaning of “suck” can occasionally appear in technical or scientific discussions, especially in fields related to engineering, manufacturing, or physics.
- DEFINITION
- To pull liquid, air, or an object into your mouth using your lips and tongue.
The industrial vacuum is designed to suck up heavy debris efficiently.
For instance, engineers might discuss a pump's ability to “suck” fluid, or technicians might refer to a vacuum cleaner's suction power. In such cases, the word is used in a purely descriptive, technical sense, devoid of any negative connotations. Any other use of “suck” in a work environment would likely be considered unprofessional and could lead to disciplinary action.
§ In a School Environment
Similar to work environments, the informal use of “suck” is generally discouraged in schools, especially by teachers and administrators. Students, however, particularly older ones, might use it informally among themselves. This usage is typically to express dissatisfaction or frustration with schoolwork, a situation, or an event.
- DEFINITION
- Informally, to describe something that is of very poor quality.
“This math homework really sucks,” a student might complain to a friend.
In classrooms, especially in science or biology, the literal meaning might come up when discussing animal behavior or natural processes. For example, a teacher might explain how a mosquito “sucks” blood or how a baby “sucks” on a pacifier.
§ In the News
In news reports, the word “suck” is almost exclusively used in its literal sense. Journalists and news anchors maintain a formal tone, and the informal, derogatory use of “suck” is considered inappropriate for news broadcasts and print. You might hear it in stories about:
- Environmental issues, such as machines designed to “suck” pollutants from the air.
- Medical reports, describing how certain devices “suck” out fluids.
- Scientific discoveries, detailing how certain organisms “suck” nutrients.
New technology aims to suck carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere.
If the informal use of “suck” appears in the news, it would likely be in a direct quote from someone expressing strong negative opinions, and the journalist would typically preface it by indicating that it's a direct quote, to maintain objectivity and distance from the informal language.
§ Informal Everyday Conversations
The informal meaning of “suck” is most prevalent in casual conversations among friends, family, and peers. It's used to express strong disapproval, disappointment, or frustration.
“This weather really sucks,” someone might say on a rainy day.
While common, it's considered slang and can be perceived as impolite or even vulgar in more formal company. It's a word that adds emphasis to negative feelings, often used when something is perceived as unfair, unpleasant, or simply not good.
- DEFINITION
- It can also refer to any action that uses a vacuum-like force to pull things in.
The old air conditioner just sucks up too much electricity.
Understanding the context is crucial when encountering “suck” to interpret its intended meaning accurately. While its literal senses are straightforward, its informal use carries a strong emotional charge and is best reserved for casual settings where such language is acceptable.
自分をテスト 42 問
The baby started to ___ on her pacifier.
To 'suck' means to pull something into your mouth, often used for babies and pacifiers.
This old vacuum cleaner really ___ at cleaning the carpet.
Informally, 'sucks' can mean something is very poor quality or performs badly.
I saw the spider ___ a fly into its web.
To 'suck' can also mean to pull something with a vacuum-like force.
When you drink juice through a straw, you are sucking it.
Using a straw involves pulling liquid into your mouth, which is a form of sucking.
If someone says a movie 'sucks', they mean it is very good.
Informally, if something 'sucks', it means it is very bad or of poor quality.
A sponge can suck up water.
A sponge absorbs water, which is a type of pulling action similar to sucking.
This sentence describes a common action of a baby drinking milk using the verb 'sucks'.
This sentence uses 'sucks' to describe the action of a vacuum cleaner pulling in dirt.
This sentence illustrates the common action of drinking with a straw, using 'suck'.
The baby began to ___ on her pacifier contentedly.
To 'suck' on a pacifier means to draw on it with the mouth.
The old vacuum cleaner didn't ___ up the dirt very well.
To 'suck up' dirt refers to a vacuum cleaner's action of drawing in debris.
He said the movie really ___, which is why he walked out early.
Informally, if something 'sucks', it means it is very bad or of poor quality.
When you drink a milkshake with a straw, you are essentially sucking the liquid.
Sucking involves drawing liquid into the mouth, which is exactly what happens when using a straw to drink.
A sponge can suck up water because it has lips and a tongue.
A sponge absorbs water due to its porous material and capillary action, not by using lips and a tongue, which are for biological 'sucking'.
If someone says 'this job sucks', they are likely expressing that the job is excellent.
In informal English, 'this job sucks' means the job is very bad or unpleasant, not excellent.
The old vacuum cleaner didn't ___ up dust very effectively, leaving much of the floor still dirty.
In this context, 'suck' refers to the action of pulling something in with a vacuum-like force, which is what a vacuum cleaner does to dust.
Despite the team's best efforts, their performance in the second half of the game started to ___, leading to a disappointing loss.
Here, 'suck' is used informally to describe something of very poor quality or performing badly.
The tiny opening in the pipe created a strong ___, making it difficult for the water to flow freely.
In this sentence, 'suck' refers to the action of pulling air or liquid, or a vacuum-like force, hindering the water flow.
After hiking for hours, I was so thirsty I just wanted to ___ down a whole bottle of water.
To 'suck down' water implies drinking it quickly and with effort, often when very thirsty.
The strong current began to ___ the small boat towards the dangerous rapids.
Here, 'suck' is used to describe a powerful force pulling something, similar to a vacuum.
I can't believe how much that new smartphone cost; it really ___ compared to my old one.
This is an informal use of 'sucks' to express that something is of very poor quality or disappointing.
The old vacuum cleaner didn't just clean, it would literally ___ up anything in its path, from dust bunnies to small toys.
The context implies the vacuum cleaner was very powerful at pulling things in, which aligns with 'suck up'.
Despite the team's best efforts, the project started to ___ when key members left and funding was cut.
In an informal context, 'suck' can mean to be of very poor quality or to fail, fitting the negative impact described.
When the baby tried to ___ on her thumb, it was a clear sign she was feeling tired.
The action of a baby using their lips and tongue to pull something into their mouth is described by 'suck'.
The phrase 'the air was sucked out of the room' implies a sudden influx of air.
To 'suck out' implies removal or depletion, not an influx, in this context meaning air was rapidly withdrawn.
If someone says 'this movie sucks,' they are likely expressing that they found it to be excellent.
Informally, 'sucks' is used to express dissatisfaction or that something is of very poor quality, the opposite of excellent.
To 'suck up' to someone typically means to behave in an overly flattering or subservient way to gain their favor.
The idiom 'suck up to' means to try to gain favor with someone by being excessively flattering or obedient.
The constant pressure to meet unrealistic targets began to ___ the enthusiasm of the entire team, leading to widespread demotivation.
In this context, 'suck' is used informally to describe something that drains or diminishes enthusiasm, aligning with the meaning of something being of very poor quality or having a detrimental effect.
Despite the innovative marketing campaign, the product sales continued to ___, failing to meet even the most conservative projections.
Here, 'suck' is used to informally express that the sales were performing extremely poorly, indicating a lack of success.
The poorly organized conference registration process really began to ___ away at attendees' patience, causing long queues and frustration.
This usage of 'suck away at' describes something that gradually depletes or diminishes patience, similar to a vacuum-like action or a detrimental effect.
The new manager's leadership style, characterized by micromanagement and a lack of clear direction, started to ___ the morale out of the once-vibrant department.
To 'suck the morale out of' implies draining or diminishing the morale, much like removing air, which aligns with the informal sense of something being of poor quality or having a negative impact.
The company's decision to cut employee benefits during a period of record profits really began to ___ the loyalty out of its long-term staff.
Similar to the previous example, 'suck the loyalty out of' signifies the draining or diminishing of loyalty due to an unfavorable action, relating to the informal negative connotation of the word.
Many critics argued that the film's predictable plot and uninspired acting truly began to ___ the overall enjoyment for the audience.
Here, 'suck' is used informally to indicate that something detracted significantly from or spoiled the enjoyment, suggesting a very poor quality experience.
Focus on the context of 'suck up' to understand its meaning in this sentence.
Consider the informal usage of 'suck' in this context.
Pay attention to how 'suck' describes a strong current.
Read this aloud:
Could you explain how the new policy will effectively suck the life out of our independent contractors?
Focus: effectively, contractors
あなたの回答：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Discuss the ethical implications of a company trying to suck up to its board members to secure a new funding round.
Focus: ethical, implications, funding
あなたの回答：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
In what ways do you think the current economic climate might suck smaller businesses dry, leading to widespread closures?
Focus: economic, widespread
あなたの回答：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
例文
The baby sucked on a pacifier.
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