stick

Universal Words verb, noun verb (stuck, stuck ) push sth in 1 [+adv./prep.] to push sth, usually a sharp object, into sth; to be pushed into sth: [VN] The nurse stuck the needle into my arm. * Don't stick your fingers through the bars of the cage. * [V] I found a nail sticking in the tyre. attach 2 [+adv./prep.] to fix sth to sth else, usually with a sticky substance; to become fixed to sth in this way: [VN] He stuck a stamp on the envelope. * We used glue to stick the broken pieces together. * I stuck the photos into an album. * [V] Her wet clothes were sticking to her body. * The glue's useless-the pieces just won't stick. put 3 [VN+adv./prep.] (informal) to put sth in a place, especially quickly or carelessly: Stick your bags down there. * He stuck his hands in his pockets and strolled off. * Can you stick this on the noticeboard? * Peter stuck his head around the door and said, 'Coffee, anyone?' * (spoken) Stick 'em up! (= put your hands above your head-I have a gun) become fixed 4 [V] ~ (in sth) to become fixed in one position and impossible to move: The key has stuck in the lock. * This drawer keeps sticking. difficult situation 5 (BrE, informal) (usually used in negative sentences and questions) to accept a difficult or unpleasant situation or person: [VN] I don't know how you stick that job. * They're always arguing-I can't stick it any longer. * The problem is, my mother can't stick my boyfriend. * [V-ing] John can't stick living with his parents. become accepted 6 [V] to become accepted: The police couldn't make the charges stick (= show them to be true). * His friends called him Bart and the name has stuck (= has become the name that everyone calls him). in card games 7 [V] to not take any more cards seealsoSTUCK IDIOMS stick in your mind (of a memory, an image, etc.) to be remembered for a long time: One of his paintings in particular sticks in my mind. stick in your throat / craw (informal) 1 (of words) to be difficult or impossible to say: She wanted to say how sorry she was but the words seemed to stick in her throat. 2 (of a situation) to be difficult or impossible to accept; to make you angry stick your neck out (informal) to do or say sth when there is a risk that you may be wrong: I'll stick my neck out and say that Bill is definitely the best candidate for the job. stick to your guns (informal) to refuse to change your mind about sth even when other people are trying to persuade you that you are wrong moreatBOOTn., FINGERn., KNIFEn., MILE, NOSEn., OAR, SOREadj., TELL PHRASALVERBS stick around (informal) to stay in a place, waiting for sth to happen or for sb to arrive: Stick around; we'll need you to help us later. stick at sth to work in a serious and determined way to achieve sth: If you want to play an instrument well, you've got to stick at it. stick by sb [nopassive] to be loyal to a person and support them, especially in a difficult situation: Her husband was charged with fraud but she stuck by him. stick by sth [nopassive] to do what you promised or planned to do: They stuck by their decision. stick sth<->down (informal) to write sth somewhere: I think I'll stick my name down on the list. stick out to be noticeable or easily seen: They wrote the notice in big red letters so that it would stick out. stick out (of sth)