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pull hard;
"The prisoner tugged at the chains"
"This movie tugs at the heart strings"
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strive and make an effort to reach a goal;
"She tugged for years to make a decent living"
"We have to push a little to make the deadline!"
"She is driving away at her doctoral thesis"
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tow (a vessel) with a tug;
"The tugboat tugged the freighter into the harbor"
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carry with difficulty;
"You'll have to lug this suitcase"
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move by pulling hard;
"The horse finally tugged the cart out of the mud"
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pull or strain hard at;
"Each oar was tugged by several men"
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struggle in opposition;
"She tugged and wrestled with her conflicts"