pluck
gb/plˈʌk/ us/plˈʌk/
B2
English
~ 6900
kitép, kiszed, leszed, bátorság, elszántság, kurázsi, penget, kiragad, kiemel, kiment, húzogat, piszkál, tépked, pengetés, belsőség
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to pluck [something] from [something]
She sat in front of the mirror and carefully plucked her eyebrows.
Leült a tükör elé, és gondosan kiszedte a szemöldökét.
He reached up and plucked an apple from the highest branch.
Felnyúlt, és leszedett egy almát a legfelső ágról.
The farmer plucked the chicken before cooking it for dinner.
She nervously plucked a grey hair from her head.
He bent down and plucked a daisy from the grass.
Learner examples
She plucked a flower from the garden.
Leszedett egy virágot a kertből.
My sister plucks her eyebrows every week.
A nővérem minden héten kiszedi a szemöldökét.
He plucked a hair from his sweater.
The cook plucked the chicken before roasting it.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "pluck" with "pick". "Pick" is more common in everyday speech ("pick a flower", "pick fruit"), while "pluck" often suggests a sharper or more careful movement, especially for hair, feathers, or strings. Both are possible with flowers or fruit, but only "pluck" is used for eyebrows and feathers.
Meaning
Pull something off or out quickly
Collocations
pluck eyebrows
|pluck a chicken
|pluck a flower
|pluck fruit from the tree
|pluck feathers
|pluck a grey hair
Synonyms
pull out (More general and less specific about using the fingers or about a quick, sharp movement.)
Antonyms
insert (Means to put something into something, the opposite of pulling it out.)
Themes
daily life
|body
|food
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To pull something off or out quickly with your fingers, like hair, feathers, or a flower.
To pull something off, out of, or away from where it is fixed, especially with the fingers, in a quick, sharp movement.
NOUN
C1
INFORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] has (a lot of) pluck
The young reporter showed real pluck by asking such tough questions.
A fiatal riporter igazi bátorságot mutatott azzal, hogy ilyen kemény kérdéseket tett fel.
It took a lot of pluck to start her own company with so little money.
Nagy bátorság kellett ahhoz, hogy ilyen kevés pénzzel saját céget indítson.
Despite his small size, the boy had plenty of pluck on the football field.
The film celebrates the pluck and resilience of ordinary people.
Her pluck impressed everyone during the crisis.
Learner examples
The child showed great pluck when he spoke in front of the class.
A gyerek nagy bátorságot mutatott, amikor az osztály előtt beszélt.
She has a lot of pluck for someone so young.
Ilyen fiatal létére sok bátorság van benne.
He needed real pluck to move to another country alone.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realise that this sense of "pluck" is a noun and not a verb. Also, it is less common than "courage" and can sound slightly old-fashioned, so it is better understood than actively used in very modern, casual speech.
Meaning
Courage and determination
Collocations
show pluck
|have pluck
|a lot of pluck
|real pluck
|young pluck
Synonyms
courage (A more common, general word; "pluck" sounds slightly old-fashioned or informal and focuses on brave spirit and energy.)
Antonyms
cowardice (Means a lack of courage and a tendency to avoid danger or difficulty.)
Themes
emotions
|personality
Definition
Strong courage and a firm will to keep going when something is hard or dangerous.
Courage and determined spirit, especially when facing difficulties or danger.
VERB
B2
3
penget
B1
Usage pattern:
to pluck [the] strings of [an instrument]
The guitarist gently plucked the strings to start the song.
A gitáros lágyan megpengette a húrokat a dal kezdetén.
She prefers to pluck the bass rather than use a pick.
Inkább ujjal pengeti a basszusgitárt, mintsem pengetőt használjon.
The harpist plucked a few notes to check the tuning.
In this section, the violins pluck their strings instead of using the bow.
He sat on the porch, plucking a simple melody on his old guitar.
Learner examples
The musician plucked the strings of the guitar.
A zenész megpengette a gitár húrjait.
She plucks the harp very softly.
Nagyon lágyan pengeti a hárfát.
In this song, the players pluck the strings, not use the bow.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this musical sense with the general "pull something out" meaning. In music, "pluck" almost always appears with words like "strings", "guitar", "harp", or "bass" and refers to making sound, not removing anything.
Meaning
Play strings by pulling them
Collocations
pluck the strings
|pluck a guitar
|pluck a harp
|pluck a bass line
|pluck softly
Synonyms
pick (Common in guitar playing; focuses on using a plectrum or fingers to strike strings, while "pluck" highlights the pull-and-release motion.)
Antonyms
bow (Refers to playing string instruments with a bow instead of pulling the strings with fingers.)
Themes
music
|arts
|arts_entertainment
Definition
To play a guitar, harp, or other string instrument by pulling a string with your finger or a small tool and letting it go.
To make a sound on a stringed instrument by pulling and releasing a string with a finger or a pick.
VERB
C1
4
Usage pattern:
to pluck [someone/something] from [a place/situation]
The lifeguard plucked the child from the waves just in time.
Az úszómester épp időben kimentette a gyereket a hullámok közül.
A talent scout plucked her from obscurity and turned her into a star.
Egy tehetségkutató kiemelte az ismeretlenségből, és sztárt csinált belőle.
The teacher plucked him from the back row and asked him to sit at the front.
Firefighters plucked several people from the burning building.
He was plucked from the small local team and signed by a major club.
Learner examples
The lifeguard plucked the boy from the sea.
Az úszómester kimentette a fiút a tengerből.
A famous director plucked her from obscurity.
Egy híres rendező kiemelte az ismeretlenségből.
The coach plucked him from a small team and gave him a chance.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this sense is only physical, but it is often used for situations like "from obscurity" or "from poverty" where nothing is literally being pulled with the fingers.
Meaning
Rescue or remove suddenly
Collocations
pluck from obscurity
|pluck from the crowd
|pluck from the water
|pluck to safety
Synonyms
rescue (Clearly focuses on saving from danger; "pluck" suggests a quick, sometimes surprising removal from a situation.)
Antonyms
abandon (Means to leave someone in a bad situation instead of taking them out of it.)
Themes
emotions
|society
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To quickly take a person or thing out of a bad or unknown situation, often saving or helping them.
To quickly and decisively remove someone or something from a place or situation, especially one that is dangerous, unpleasant, or unknown.
VERB
C1
5
Usage pattern:
to pluck at [something]
The child plucked at his mother’s sleeve, trying to get her attention.
A gyerek az anyja ruhaujját húzogatta, hogy felhívja magára a figyelmet.
She sat in the park, plucking at the grass as she thought.
A parkban ült, és gondolkodás közben a füvet tépkedte.
He nervously plucked at the edge of the tablecloth during the interview.
The musician absent-mindedly plucked at the strings while talking.
She plucked at the loose thread on her sweater until it unraveled.
Learner examples
The boy plucked at his father’s coat.
A fiú az apja kabátját húzogatta.
She plucked at the grass while she waited.
Várakozás közben a füvet tépkedte.
He sat there and plucked at the tablecloth because he was nervous.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the main "remove" meaning. When you "pluck at" something, you usually do NOT remove it; you just pull on it lightly, often many times.
Meaning
Pull lightly or repeatedly at
Collocations
pluck at his sleeve
|pluck at the strings
|pluck at the grass
|pluck at the fabric
Synonyms
tug (Suggests a stronger pull; "pluck" often sounds lighter, smaller, or more nervous.)
Antonyms
release (Means to stop holding or pulling something, the opposite of continuing to pull at it.)
Themes
daily life
|body
|daily_life
|emotions
Definition
To pull on something again and again, often softly, like a sleeve or piece of cloth.
To pull at something lightly or repeatedly, often in a nervous or gentle way, without necessarily removing it.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
6
pengetés
B1
Usage pattern:
a gentle/sharp pluck of [the] string(s)
The piece begins with a single pluck of the lowest string.
A darab a legmélyebb húr egyetlen pengetésével kezdődik.
Each pluck is clearly heard over the soft background chords.
Minden pengetés tisztán hallatszik a halk háttérakkordok fölött.
The guitarist’s light pluck gives the song a delicate feel.
Learner examples
The song starts with one soft pluck of the guitar string.
A dal a gitár húrjának egy halk pengetésével kezdődik.
With each pluck, the note became louder.
Minden pengetéssel hangosabb lett a hang.
A gentle pluck of the string made a clear sound.
Common mistake:
Learners may assume "pluck" is only a verb. In musical descriptions, it can also be a noun referring to the specific action or sound.
Meaning
Single act of plucking a string
Collocations
a gentle pluck
|a sharp pluck
|a single pluck
|light pluck of the strings
Synonyms
pizzicato (Technical term used mainly in classical music for plucked string playing; "pluck" is the more general English word.)
Antonyms
bow stroke (Refers to using a bow rather than a plucking motion to produce sound on string instruments.)
Themes
music
|arts
|arts_entertainment
Definition
One pull and release of a string on an instrument, or the style of doing this.
A single act of pulling and releasing a string on a musical instrument, or the characteristic way this is done.
NOUN
C2
LITERARY
7
belsőség
B2
Usage pattern:
[type of animal] pluck
The traditional dish is made from sheep’s pluck simmered with spices.
A hagyományos étel fűszerekkel párolt juhbelsőségből készül.
She watched the butcher prepare the pluck for the customer.
Nézte, ahogy a hentes előkészíti a belsőséget a vevőnek.
In the old recipe book, several dishes call for lamb’s pluck.
Learner examples
The dish uses sheep’s pluck as the main ingredient.
Az étel fő hozzávalója a juhbelsőség.
The butcher sold him lamb’s pluck for the soup.
A hentes báránybelsőséget adott el neki a leveshez.
Some old recipes use animal pluck, not just normal meat.
Common mistake:
Learners may not recognise this meaning at all, as it is rare and mostly found in older or regional texts. It is usually clear from context in recipes or descriptions of butchery.
Meaning
Internal organs of an animal as food
Collocations
sheep’s pluck
|lamb’s pluck
|boiled pluck
Synonyms
offal (A more general word for the internal organs of an animal used as food; "pluck" is narrower and less common.)
Antonyms
muscle meat (Refers to the usual parts of meat people eat, like steak, not the internal organs.)
Themes
food
|animals
|food_drink
Definition
The heart, lungs, and similar inside parts of a dead animal that people sometimes cook and eat.
The heart, lungs, and sometimes other internal organs of a slaughtered animal, used as food.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pluck
IPA
GB/plˈʌk/
US/plˈʌk/
Syllables & stress
pluck (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (pluck)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: pluck
- Plural: pluck
Verb
- Base: pluck
- 3rd Person Singular: plucks
- Present Participle: plucking
- Past: plucked
Word family
Forms
plucks
verb
plucking
verb
plucked
verb
Core family
plucky
adjective
Related words
plucker
noun
Advanced or less common
pluckily
adverb
pluckiness
noun
Expressions
pluck at
1/plˈʌk ˈæt/
phrasal verb
Pull lightly again and again
To pull on something softly and many times, like a sleeve, cloth, or strings.
Examples
- The child kept plucking at his mother’s sleeve.
- He sat in silence, plucking at the loose thread on his shirt.
- She nervously plucked at the edge of the curtain while she waited.
pluck at someone’s heartstrings
1/plˈʌk ˈæt sˈʌmwˌʌnz hˈɛɹtstɹɪŋz/
idiom
Strongly move someone’s emotions
To make someone feel strong, soft, or sad emotions, often by a story, picture, or music.
Examples
- The charity advert really plucked at viewers’ heartstrings.
- The film’s final scene is clearly designed to pluck at your heartstrings.
pluck from the crowd
1/plˈʌk fɹˈʌm ðə kɹˈaʊd/
fixed phrase
Pick one person out of many
To choose one person from a large group of people.
Examples
- The magician plucked a volunteer from the crowd.
- One lucky fan was plucked from the crowd to meet the singer backstage.
pluck off
1/plˈʌk ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
Remove something from a surface
To remove a small thing from a surface by pulling it away.
Examples
- She plucked off a bit of fluff from his jacket.
- He plucked off the dead leaves from the plant.
- I plucked off the sticker and threw it in the bin.
pluck out
1/plˈʌk ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Remove by pulling out
To take something out by pulling it, often with your fingers or a small tool.
Examples
- She plucked out a grey hair from her head.
- The dentist had to pluck out a small piece of food stuck between my teeth.
- He carefully plucked out the splinter from her finger.
pluck someone from obscurity
1/plˈʌk sˈʌmwˌʌn fɹˈʌm əbskjˈʊɹəti/
fixed phrase
Make an unknown person noticed
To take a person who is not known and help them become famous or well known.
Examples
- The producer plucked her from obscurity and turned her into a star.
- A viral video plucked the band from obscurity and brought them international attention.
pluck something out of thin air
1/plˈʌk sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈaʊt əv θˈɪn ˈɛɹ/
idiom
informal
Produce an idea with no basis
To say an idea, fact, or number suddenly, without planning and without a clear reason or source.
Examples
- He didn’t pluck the figure out of thin air; it came from last year’s report.
- I just plucked a name out of thin air when they asked who should go first.
pluck up the courage
1/plˈʌk ˈʌp ðə kˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
idiom
Force yourself to be brave enough
To make yourself feel brave enough to do something that is difficult or scary.
Examples
- He finally plucked up the courage to ask her out.
- I need to pluck up the courage to speak to my boss about a raise.
- She plucked up the courage and jumped into the cold water.
pluck up the courage
2/plˈʌk ˈʌp ðə kˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
idiom
gather enough courage to act
To slowly get enough courage to do something that you feel nervous or afraid to do.
Examples
- I finally plucked up the courage to call her.
- He plucked up the courage to speak in front of the whole class.
- After months of hesitation, she plucked up the courage and changed careers.