suck "at" or not?

[Eway]

When I looked up the word "suck" in my dictionary,
some of the example sentences use the preposition "at" after suck and some don't.
Why and what's the rule?

The example sentences are:

You can't get a good suck at a drink if the straw is damaged.
Th baby was sucking at his mother's breast.
She sucked the orange dry.
He sucked at his pipe.
Suck a lozenge for your sore throat.
The child sucked her thumb.

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by Eway

When I looked up the word "suck" in my dictionary,
some of the example sentences use the preposition "at" after suck and some don't.
Why and what's the rule?

The example sentences are:

You can't get a good suck at a drink if the straw is damaged.
Th baby was sucking at his mother's breast.
She sucked the orange dry.
He sucked at his pipe.
Suck a lozenge for your sore throat.
The child sucked her thumb.

at is used with instruments: use a straw to get at the drink, use the nipple to get at the breast milk, and use a pipe to get at the smoke.

straw, nipple, and pipe are instruments.

All the best, :D

[Eway]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

at is used with instruments: use a straw to get at the drink, use the nipple to get at the breast milk, and use a pipe to get at the smoke.

straw, nipple, and pipe are instruments.

All the best, :D

Thanks a lot!!
And one more question...
Since one of the example sentences is "He sucked at his pipe",
is it also correct to say "He sucked at his cigeratte"?

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by Eway

Thanks a lot!!
And one more question...
Since one of the example sentences is "He sucked at his pipe",
is it also correct to say "He sucked at his cigeratte"?

You're welcome. :D

Suck at/on his pipe; Suck at/on his cigarette. (OK)

Originally Posted by Casiopea

You're welcome. :D

Suck at/on his pipe; Suck at/on his cigarette. (OK)

I think you drag on a cigarette or take a drag on a cigarette. I don't think it's common to use the word "suck" in regards to cigarettes. But again, you can suck on your toe nails and who is to tell you it's wrong.

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by Natalie27

I think you drag on a cigarette or take a drag on a cigarette. I don't think it's common to use the word "suck" in regards to cigarettes. But again, you can suck on your toe nails and who is to tell you it's wrong.

Aside from 'take a drag on a cigarette', there's take a haul. What 'haul' has to do with it, I don't know.

Originally Posted by Casiopea

Aside from 'take a drag on a cigarette', there's take a haul. What 'haul' has to do with it, I don't know.

Point taken. Thanx. :D