tug at
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s a little silly and corny, yes, but manages to vary the tempo and can even tug at one’s heartstrings by showing the bond between siblings.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 22, 2026
“The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan” strikes the right balance of sincerity in the hands of Jasmine Warga, though there’s still plenty of material to tug at the heartstrings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026
Meanwhile, Lidl - like John Lewis - has gone for a classic tale designed to tug at the heartstrings.
From BBC ● Nov. 13, 2024
Well intentioned or not, they are considered the kind of cinema you should but don’t necessarily want to see, meant to tug at heartstrings and win their creators prizes.
From New York Times ● Dec. 10, 2023
He stuck his right index finger into his mouth and began to tug at the nail.
From "The Great Gilly Hopkins" by Katherine Paterson
