poke

poke1 [ pouk ] verb *

1. ) intransitive or transitive to push something quickly with your finger or a pointed object:

Jane poked me in the arm to get my attention.

The boys were poking the worm with a stick.

poke at: Tom poked at the vegetables but ate nothing.

2. ) transitive to put something into or through a small space or hole:

Poking his hand into the bag, Paul pulled out a cookie.

See if you can poke one corner through, and I'll pull it from the other side.

3. ) intransitive poke through/out/from to continue beyond an object or surface:

A thin knee poked out of his worn jeans.

Only her nose poked through her ski mask.

4. ) transitive poke something into/out of etc. something to quickly move part of your body somewhere:

Dad poked his head into my room and said dinner was ready.

poke fun (at)

to make unkind jokes about someone or something:

All the kids poked fun at Dan's new haircut.

poke a hole in something

to make a hole in something by pushing something through it:

He couldn't get the lid off so he poked a hole in it.

,poke a`long phrasal verb intransitive AMERICAN INFORMAL

to move slowly, especially when others are moving faster:

If you don't stop poking along we'll be late.

,poke a`round phrasal verb intransitive or transitive

1. ) to try to find something, especially by moving other things:

I'll poke around in the refrigerator and see what I can find for supper.

2. ) to try to get information, especially when other people do not want you to:

The police poked around the neighborhood, searching for clues.

poke

poke 2 [ pouk ] noun count

a quick push with your finger or a pointed object:

Ron gave the dead fish a poke with his stick.

a pig in a poke INFORMAL OLD-FASHIONED

something that you have bought without seeing it first