()

ぬく
godan verb
to extract, to pull out
1. to extract, to pull out
To remove something from where it is fixed.
()()く。
To pull out a tooth.
コルクを()く。
To uncork.
(かたな)()く。
To draw a sword.
(くさ)()く。
To pull out weeds.
空気(くうき)()く。
To let the air out.
2. to omit, to leave out
To skip or exclude something.
(あさ)(はん)()く。
To skip breakfast.
昼食(ちゅうしょく)()く。
To skip lunch.
()()く。
To cut corners.
(ひと)()かして()んだ。
I read it skipping one.
()()くな。
Don't let your guard down.
3. to surpass, to outdo
To go past or exceed.
先頭(せんとう)()く。
To overtake the leader.
記録(きろく)()いた。
I beat the record.
(ほか)()いて一位(いちい)になった。
I overtook the others and came in first.
(くるま)()く。
To overtake a car.
(ぐん)()いて(すぐ)れている。
To stand out from the crowd.

()く is a transitive godan verb with multiple meanings.

TRANSITIVITY PAIR:

  • ()く (transitive): to pull out
  • ()ける (intransitive): to come out, fall out

CONJUGATION:

  • ()かない (negative)
  • ()きます (polite)
  • ()いて (te-form)
  • ()いた (past)

MEANINGS AND EXAMPLES:
1. Extract: ()()く (pull a tooth), (くさ)()く (pull weeds)
2. Omit: 食事(しょくじ)()く (skip a meal)
3. Surpass: 記録(きろく)()く (break a record)

IDIOMS:

  • ()()く: to cut corners, slack off
  • ()()く: to let one's guard down
  • (ぐん)()く: to stand out from the crowd
  • (ほね)()く: to take the backbone out (weaken)