pull
♦♦ pull /p'ʊl/ (pulls pulling pulled)
1 [VERB] V n with adv, V prep, V n prep, V n, V n, V, V n adj
When you pull something, you hold it firmly and use force in order to move it towards you or away from its previous position.
They have pulled out patients' teeth unnecessarily...
Erica was solemn, pulling at her blonde curls...
I helped pull him out of the water...
Someone pulled her hair...
He knew he should pull the trigger, but he was suddenly paralysed by fear...
Pull as hard as you can...
I let myself out into the street and pulled the door shut.
[N-COUNT] usu sing
Pull is also a noun.
The feather must be removed with a straight, firm pull.
2 [VERB] V n prep, V n with adv
When you pull an object from a bag, pocket, or cupboard, you put your hand in and bring the object out.
Jack pulled the slip of paper from his shirt pocket...
Wade walked quickly to the refrigerator and pulled out another beer.
3 [VERB] V n
When a vehicle, animal, or person pulls a cart or piece of machinery, they are attached to it or hold it, so that it moves along behind them when they move forward.
This is early-20th-century rural Sussex, when horses still pulled the plough...
4 [VERB] V pron-refl prep/adv, V n prep/adv, V n adj, V adv
If you pull yourself or pull a part of your body in a particular direction, you move your body or a part of your body with effort or force.
Hughes pulled himself slowly to his feet...
He pulled his arms out of the sleeves...
She tried to pull her hand free...
Lillian brushed his cheek with her fingertips. He pulled away and said, `Don't!'
5 [VERB] V prep
When a driver or vehicle pulls to a stop or a halt, the vehicle stops.
He pulled to a stop behind a pickup truck...
6 [VERB] V adv
In a race or contest, if you pull ahead of or pull away from an opponent, you gradually increase the amount by which you are ahead of them.
He pulled away, extending his lead to 15 seconds...
7 [VERB] V n with adv
If you pull something apart, you break or divide it into small pieces, often in order to put them back together again in a different way.
If I wanted to improve the car significantly I would have to pull it apart and start again.
8 [VERB] V n on n, V n
If someone pulls a gun or a knife on someone else, they take out a gun or knife and threaten the other person with it. (INFORMAL)
They had a fight. One of them pulled a gun on the other...
I pulled a knife and threatened her.
9 [VERB] V n
To pull crowds, viewers, or voters means to attract them. (INFORMAL)
The organisers have to employ performers to pull a crowd.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
Pull in means the same as pull.
They provided a far better news service and pulled in many more viewers...
She is still beautiful, and still pulling them in at sixty.
10 [N-COUNT]
A pull is a strong physical force which causes things to move in a particular direction.
...the pull of gravity.
11 [VERB] V n, V-ed
If you pull a muscle, you injure it by straining it.
Dave pulled a back muscle and could barely kick the ball...
He suffered a pulled calf muscle.
12 [VERB] V n on n, also V n
To pull a stunt or a trick on someone means to do something dramatic or silly in order to get their attention or trick them. (INFORMAL)
Everyone saw the stunt you pulled on me.
13 [VERB] V n, V
If someone pulls someone else, they succeed in attracting them sexually and in spending the rest of the evening or night with them. (BRIT INFORMAL)
14
to pull oneself up by one's bootstraps: see bootstraps
to pull a face: see face
to pull someone's leg: see leg
to pull your punches: see punch
to pull rank: see rank
to pull out all the stops: see stop
to pull strings: see string
to pull your weight: see weight
to pull the wool over someone's eyes: see woolpull away
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
When a vehicle or driver pulls away, the vehicle starts moving forward.
I stood in the driveway and watched him back out and pull away.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P from n
If you pull away from someone that you have had close links with, you deliberately become less close to them.
Other daughters, faced with their mother's emotional hunger, pull away...
He'd pulled away from her as if she had leprosy.pull back
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P from n, V P
If someone pulls back from an action, they decide not to do it or continue with it, because it could have bad consequences.
They will plead with him to pull back from confrontation...
The British government threatened to make public its disquiet but then pulled back.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P n (not pron), also V n P
If troops pull back or if their leader pulls them back, they go some or all of the way back to their own territory.
They were asked to pull back from their artillery positions around the city...
He pulled back forces from Mongolia, and he withdrew from Afghanistan.pull down
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
To pull down a building or statue means to deliberately destroy it.
They'd pulled the registry office down which then left an open space...
A small crowd attempted to pull down a statue.
= demolishpull in
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P prep/adv, V P
When a vehicle or driver pulls in somewhere, the vehicle stops there.
He pulled in at the side of the road...
The van pulled in and waited.
2
see pull 9pull into
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n, V n P n
When a vehicle or driver pulls into a place, the vehicle moves into the place and stops there.
He pulled into the driveway in front of her garage...
She pulled the car into a tight parking space on a side street.pull off
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you pull off something very difficult, you succeed in achieving it.
The National League for Democracy pulled off a landslide victory...
It will be a very, very fine piece of mountaineering if they pull it off.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n, V n P n
If a vehicle or driver pulls off the road, the vehicle stops by the side of the road.
I pulled off the road at a small village pub...
One evening, crossing a small creek, he pulled the car off the road.pull out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P prep, V P
When a vehicle or driver pulls out, the vehicle moves out into the road or nearer the centre of the road.
She pulled out into the street...
He was about to pull out to overtake the guy in front of him.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P of n, V P
If you pull out of an agreement, a contest, or an organization, you withdraw from it.
The World Bank should pull out of the project...
A racing injury forced Stephen Roche to pull out.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P of n, V P, V n P of n
If troops pull out of a place or if their leader pulls them out, they leave it.
The militia in Lebanon has agreed to pull out of Beirut...
Economic sanctions will be lifted once two-thirds of their forces have pulled out...
His government decided to pull its troops out of Cuba.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P of n, V n P of n
If a country pulls out of recession or if someone pulls it out, it begins to recover from it.
Sterling has been hit by the economy's failure to pull out of recession...
What we want to see today are policies to pull us out of this recession.
5
see also pull-outpull over
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
When a vehicle or driver pulls over, the vehicle moves closer to the side of the road and stops there.
He noticed a man behind him in a blue Ford gesticulating to pull over.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If the police pull over a driver or vehicle, they make the driver stop at the side of the road, usually because the driver has been driving dangerously.
The officers pulled him over after a high-speed chase...
Police pulled over his Mercedes near Dieppe.
3
see also pulloverpull through
[PHRASAL VERB] V P, V n P, V P n
If someone with a serious illness or someone in a very difficult situation pulls through, they recover.
Everyone was very concerned whether he would pull through or not...
It is only our determination to fight that has pulled us through.
...ways of helping Russia pull through its upheavals.pull together
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If people pull together, they help each other or work together in order to deal with a difficult situation.
The nation was urged to pull together to avoid a slide into complete chaos...
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V pron-refl P
If you are upset or depressed and someone tells you to pull yourself together, they are telling you to control your feelings and behave calmly again.
Pull yourself together, you stupid woman!...
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P
If you pull together different facts or ideas, you link them to form a single theory, argument, or story.
Let me now pull together the threads of my argument...
Data exists but it needs pulling together.
= draw togetherpull up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
When a vehicle or driver pulls up, the vehicle slows down and stops.
The cab pulled up and the driver jumped out.
= draw up
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you pull up a chair, you move it closer to something or someone and sit on it.
He pulled up a chair behind her and put his chin on her shoulder.
= draw up
1 [VERB] V n with adv, V prep, V n prep, V n, V n, V, V n adj
When you pull something, you hold it firmly and use force in order to move it towards you or away from its previous position.
They have pulled out patients' teeth unnecessarily...
Erica was solemn, pulling at her blonde curls...
I helped pull him out of the water...
Someone pulled her hair...
He knew he should pull the trigger, but he was suddenly paralysed by fear...
Pull as hard as you can...
I let myself out into the street and pulled the door shut.
[N-COUNT] usu sing
Pull is also a noun.
The feather must be removed with a straight, firm pull.
2 [VERB] V n prep, V n with adv
When you pull an object from a bag, pocket, or cupboard, you put your hand in and bring the object out.
Jack pulled the slip of paper from his shirt pocket...
Wade walked quickly to the refrigerator and pulled out another beer.
3 [VERB] V n
When a vehicle, animal, or person pulls a cart or piece of machinery, they are attached to it or hold it, so that it moves along behind them when they move forward.
This is early-20th-century rural Sussex, when horses still pulled the plough...
4 [VERB] V pron-refl prep/adv, V n prep/adv, V n adj, V adv
If you pull yourself or pull a part of your body in a particular direction, you move your body or a part of your body with effort or force.
Hughes pulled himself slowly to his feet...
He pulled his arms out of the sleeves...
She tried to pull her hand free...
Lillian brushed his cheek with her fingertips. He pulled away and said, `Don't!'
5 [VERB] V prep
When a driver or vehicle pulls to a stop or a halt, the vehicle stops.
He pulled to a stop behind a pickup truck...
6 [VERB] V adv
In a race or contest, if you pull ahead of or pull away from an opponent, you gradually increase the amount by which you are ahead of them.
He pulled away, extending his lead to 15 seconds...
7 [VERB] V n with adv
If you pull something apart, you break or divide it into small pieces, often in order to put them back together again in a different way.
If I wanted to improve the car significantly I would have to pull it apart and start again.
8 [VERB] V n on n, V n
If someone pulls a gun or a knife on someone else, they take out a gun or knife and threaten the other person with it. (INFORMAL)
They had a fight. One of them pulled a gun on the other...
I pulled a knife and threatened her.
9 [VERB] V n
To pull crowds, viewers, or voters means to attract them. (INFORMAL)
The organisers have to employ performers to pull a crowd.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
Pull in means the same as pull.
They provided a far better news service and pulled in many more viewers...
She is still beautiful, and still pulling them in at sixty.
10 [N-COUNT]
A pull is a strong physical force which causes things to move in a particular direction.
...the pull of gravity.
11 [VERB] V n, V-ed
If you pull a muscle, you injure it by straining it.
Dave pulled a back muscle and could barely kick the ball...
He suffered a pulled calf muscle.
12 [VERB] V n on n, also V n
To pull a stunt or a trick on someone means to do something dramatic or silly in order to get their attention or trick them. (INFORMAL)
Everyone saw the stunt you pulled on me.
13 [VERB] V n, V
If someone pulls someone else, they succeed in attracting them sexually and in spending the rest of the evening or night with them. (BRIT INFORMAL)
14
to pull oneself up by one's bootstraps: see bootstraps
to pull a face: see face
to pull someone's leg: see leg
to pull your punches: see punch
to pull rank: see rank
to pull out all the stops: see stop
to pull strings: see string
to pull your weight: see weight
to pull the wool over someone's eyes: see woolpull away
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
When a vehicle or driver pulls away, the vehicle starts moving forward.
I stood in the driveway and watched him back out and pull away.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P from n
If you pull away from someone that you have had close links with, you deliberately become less close to them.
Other daughters, faced with their mother's emotional hunger, pull away...
He'd pulled away from her as if she had leprosy.pull back
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P from n, V P
If someone pulls back from an action, they decide not to do it or continue with it, because it could have bad consequences.
They will plead with him to pull back from confrontation...
The British government threatened to make public its disquiet but then pulled back.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P n (not pron), also V n P
If troops pull back or if their leader pulls them back, they go some or all of the way back to their own territory.
They were asked to pull back from their artillery positions around the city...
He pulled back forces from Mongolia, and he withdrew from Afghanistan.pull down
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
To pull down a building or statue means to deliberately destroy it.
They'd pulled the registry office down which then left an open space...
A small crowd attempted to pull down a statue.
= demolishpull in
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P prep/adv, V P
When a vehicle or driver pulls in somewhere, the vehicle stops there.
He pulled in at the side of the road...
The van pulled in and waited.
2
see pull 9pull into
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n, V n P n
When a vehicle or driver pulls into a place, the vehicle moves into the place and stops there.
He pulled into the driveway in front of her garage...
She pulled the car into a tight parking space on a side street.pull off
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you pull off something very difficult, you succeed in achieving it.
The National League for Democracy pulled off a landslide victory...
It will be a very, very fine piece of mountaineering if they pull it off.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n, V n P n
If a vehicle or driver pulls off the road, the vehicle stops by the side of the road.
I pulled off the road at a small village pub...
One evening, crossing a small creek, he pulled the car off the road.pull out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P prep, V P
When a vehicle or driver pulls out, the vehicle moves out into the road or nearer the centre of the road.
She pulled out into the street...
He was about to pull out to overtake the guy in front of him.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P of n, V P
If you pull out of an agreement, a contest, or an organization, you withdraw from it.
The World Bank should pull out of the project...
A racing injury forced Stephen Roche to pull out.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P of n, V P, V n P of n
If troops pull out of a place or if their leader pulls them out, they leave it.
The militia in Lebanon has agreed to pull out of Beirut...
Economic sanctions will be lifted once two-thirds of their forces have pulled out...
His government decided to pull its troops out of Cuba.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P of n, V n P of n
If a country pulls out of recession or if someone pulls it out, it begins to recover from it.
Sterling has been hit by the economy's failure to pull out of recession...
What we want to see today are policies to pull us out of this recession.
5
see also pull-outpull over
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
When a vehicle or driver pulls over, the vehicle moves closer to the side of the road and stops there.
He noticed a man behind him in a blue Ford gesticulating to pull over.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If the police pull over a driver or vehicle, they make the driver stop at the side of the road, usually because the driver has been driving dangerously.
The officers pulled him over after a high-speed chase...
Police pulled over his Mercedes near Dieppe.
3
see also pulloverpull through
[PHRASAL VERB] V P, V n P, V P n
If someone with a serious illness or someone in a very difficult situation pulls through, they recover.
Everyone was very concerned whether he would pull through or not...
It is only our determination to fight that has pulled us through.
...ways of helping Russia pull through its upheavals.pull together
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If people pull together, they help each other or work together in order to deal with a difficult situation.
The nation was urged to pull together to avoid a slide into complete chaos...
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V pron-refl P
If you are upset or depressed and someone tells you to pull yourself together, they are telling you to control your feelings and behave calmly again.
Pull yourself together, you stupid woman!...
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P
If you pull together different facts or ideas, you link them to form a single theory, argument, or story.
Let me now pull together the threads of my argument...
Data exists but it needs pulling together.
= draw togetherpull up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
When a vehicle or driver pulls up, the vehicle slows down and stops.
The cab pulled up and the driver jumped out.
= draw up
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you pull up a chair, you move it closer to something or someone and sit on it.
He pulled up a chair behind her and put his chin on her shoulder.
= draw up