Definition of stuck

stuckadjective

mắc kẹt

/stʌk//stʌk/

The word "stuck" has a long history, stemming from the Old English word "styccan," meaning "to pierce" or "to stab." This connection reflects the idea of being "stuck" as being trapped or impaled. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the sense of being unable to move or proceed. The word "in" was later added to create "stuck in," emphasizing the state of being confined or hindered. "Stuck in" signifies a lack of progress, highlighting the frustrating feeling of being held back or immobilized.

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unable to move or to be moved

không thể di chuyển hoặc được di chuyển

Example:
  • The wheels were stuck in the mud.

    Bánh xe bị mắc kẹt trong bùn.

  • This drawer keeps getting stuck.

    Ngăn kéo này cứ bị kẹt.

  • She got the key stuck in the lock.

    Cô ấy bị kẹt chìa khóa trong ổ khóa.

  • I can't get out—I'm stuck.

    Tôi không thể thoát ra được - tôi bị mắc kẹt.

  • I couldn’t budge the drawer—it was stuck fast.

    Tôi không thể di chuyển ngăn kéo - nó bị kẹt rất nhanh.

  • The tiles were stuck firmly to the wall.

    Những viên gạch đã được dán chặt vào tường.

in an unpleasant situation or place that you cannot escape from

trong một tình huống hoặc nơi khó chịu mà bạn không thể thoát khỏi

Example:
  • We were stuck in traffic for over an hour.

    Chúng tôi bị kẹt xe hơn một tiếng đồng hồ.

  • I hate being stuck at home all day.

    Tôi ghét bị mắc kẹt ở nhà cả ngày.

unable to answer or understand something

không thể trả lời hoặc hiểu điều gì đó

Example:
  • I got stuck on the first question.

    Tôi bị mắc kẹt ở câu hỏi đầu tiên.

  • I'll help you if you're stuck.

    Tôi sẽ giúp bạn nếu bạn gặp khó khăn.

not knowing what to do in a particular situation

không biết phải làm gì trong một tình huống cụ thể

Example:
  • If you're stuck for something to do tonight, come out with us.

    Nếu bạn không có việc gì phải làm tối nay, hãy đi chơi với chúng tôi.

  • I've never known him to be stuck for words before.

    Tôi chưa bao giờ biết anh ấy bị mắc kẹt trong lời nói trước đây.

unable to get rid of somebody/something that you do not want

không thể loại bỏ ai/cái gì mà bạn không muốn

Example:
  • I was stuck with him for the whole journey.

    Tôi đã bị mắc kẹt với anh ấy trong suốt cuộc hành trình.

  • I’m stuck with this job for the moment.

    Hiện tại tôi đang bị mắc kẹt với công việc này.

Related words and phrases

Idioms

be (stuck) in a groove
(British English)to be unable to change something that you have been doing the same way for a long time and that has become boring
be (stuck) in a time warp
not having changed at all from a time in the past although everything else has
  • Her whole house seems to be stuck in a time warp. It’s like something out of the 1950s.
    • (caught/stuck) between a rock and a hard place
    in a situation where you have to choose between two things, both of which are unpleasant
    get stuck in | get stuck into something
    (British English, informal)to start doing something in an enthusiastic way, especially to start eating
  • Don’t wait for me—get stuck in.
  • There’s a lot to do so get your jackets off and get stuck in!
  • I want to get stuck into the job as soon as possible.
    • like a stuck record
    in a way that keeps repeating a statement or opinion in an annoying way
  • I hate sounding like a stuck record, but I have to say again, we must do more to help.