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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | pluccian |
Related topics:1 to pull something quickly in order to remove it
pull something
[transitive] written pluck something from/off etc something 
He plucked a couple of plastic bags from the roll.Reaching up, she plucked an apple off the tree.
He plucked a couple of plastic bags from the roll.Reaching up, she plucked an apple off the tree.3 to take someone away from a place or situation that is dangerous or unpleasant in a quick and unexpected way
take somebody/something away
[transitive always + adverb/preposition] pluck somebody/something from/out of something Some refugee children were plucked out of the country in a number of mercy missions.
Some refugee children were plucked out of the country in a number of mercy missions.4 to pull the feathers off a dead chicken or other bird before cooking it
chicken
[transitive]DFC5 to force yourself to be brave and do something you are afraid of doing : He finally plucked up enough courage to ask her out.
pluck up (the) courage (to do something)
He finally plucked up enough courage to ask her out.6 to pull the strings of a musical instrument
music
[intransitive and transitive]APM7 to say or suggest a number, name etc that you have just thought of, without thinking about it carefully : I'm plucking a figure out of the air here, but let's say it'll cost about $15,000.
pluck something out of the air
alsopluck something out of thin air
I'm plucking a figure out of the air here, but let's say it'll cost about $15,000.pluck at something
phrasal verbKitty's hands plucked at her black cotton skirt.The little boy plucked at her sleeve.
