poke

[poʊk]

poke Definition

• 1. to push a finger or other pointed object quickly into someone or something
• 2. to make a hole in something with a pointed object
• 3. to appear from behind or through something suddenly or unexpectedly

Using poke: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "poke" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  He poked me in the ribs to get my attention.

• Example

  She poked a hole in the paper with her pencil.

• Example

  The sun poked through the clouds for a moment.

• Example

  I poked around in the attic looking for old toys.

poke Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for poke

• jab
• thrust
• push
• prod
• nudge

Antonyms for poke

• pull
• withdraw

Idioms Using poke

• buy a pig in a poke

  to buy something without seeing it or knowing anything about it

  Example

  I'm not going to buy that car without taking it for a test drive first. I don't want to buy a pig in a poke.

• make a pig's ear of something

  to do something very badly

  Example

  He made a real pig's ear of the presentation. It was a disaster.

• pig in a poke

  something that is bought without being seen or known about beforehand

  Example

  I don't want to buy a pig in a poke. I need to see the product before I buy it.

Phrases with poke

• poke fun at

  to make jokes about someone or something in a way that is not kind

  Example

  They always poke fun at him because of his accent.

• poke one's nose into

  to interfere in someone else's business

  Example

  I wish he wouldn't poke his nose into my affairs.

• poke the bear

  to do something that is likely to provoke a strong reaction

  Example

  You're really poking the bear by criticizing his work like that.

Origins of poke

from Middle English 'poken', meaning 'to thrust, prod'

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Summary: poke in Brief

The verb 'poke' [poʊk] refers to pushing a pointed object into someone or something, making a hole in something, or appearing suddenly. It can be used in phrases like 'poke fun at,' which means to make jokes in an unkind way, and idioms like 'buy a pig in a poke,' which means to buy something without seeing it first. 'Poke' has both formal and informal synonyms such as 'prod' and 'jab,' respectively.