Basic Details
Word: Pluck
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To take something away from where it is, especially by pulling it with a quick movement.
Synonyms: Snatch, extract, pull
Antonyms: Insert, place, attach
Idioms and Phrases
- Pluck up courage: To gather the bravery to do something difficult. Example: "She had to pluck up courage to ask the teacher for help."
- Pluck a feather: To remove something small but important from a larger whole. Example: "He didnt mean to pluck a feather from her confidence by pointing out her mistakes."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The gardener needed to pluck the ripe tomatoes from the vine before the rain hit.
Example 2: When I saw the loose thread on my sweater, I decided to pluck it before it could unravel.
Example 3: The artist asked the child to pluck a flower from the garden for the painting they were working on together.
Fun Fact
Did you know that "pluck" can also refer to the action of playing a stringed instrument by pulling the strings with your fingers or a plectrum? It is a common term in music!
Famous Quote
"The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." Nelson Mandela. This relates to the idea of 'plucking' up courage in challenging situations.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "pluck" mean?
a) To sew something together
b) To take something away quickly
c) To put something down gently
d) To create a sound
Answer: b) To take something away quickly
2. Which of these is a synonym of "pluck"?
a) Insert
b) Pull
c) Quiet
d) Calm
Answer: b) Pull
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "pluck"?
a) Snatch
b) Place
c) Extract
d) Tug
Answer: b) Place
4. Which sentence uses "pluck" correctly?
a) She tried to pluck the piano softly.
b) The cat wanted to pluck the ball of yarn.
c) He wanted to pluck the flower from the garden.
d) The book was about how to pluck a dragon.
Answer: c) He wanted to pluck the flower from the garden.
5. Which idiom means to gather the bravery to do something?
a) Pluck a feather
b) Pluck up courage
c) Pluck at straws
d) Pluck the strings
Answer: b) Pluck up courage
