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pull

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verb

/pʊl/

present tense
I/you/we/they	pull
he/she/it	pulls
present participle	pulling
past tense	pulled
past participle	pulled

Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

more dictionary definitions

1
[intransitive/transitive] to move someone or something towards you using your hands
pull something away from/out of/into etc something:
Help me pull the sofa away from the wall.
I climbed into bed and pulled the blankets over my head.
pull at/on:
The little girl pulled gently at my sleeve.
pull something open/shut:
Jane pulled the door open.
pull something tight:
Don't pull the string too tight.
1. a.
  [transitive] to remove something or someone from inside or under something by moving them towards you
  pull someone out of something:
  A lifeguard had to pull her out of the water.
  pull something from something:
  He pulled a suitcase from beneath the bed.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
2. b.
  [transitive] to move something along behind you
  Two horses were pulling the plough.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
3. c.
  [transitive] to move a handle that controls a machine so that the machine works
  You pull hard on this lever to start the motor.
  She raised the gun and pulled the trigger.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
2
[transitive] to use force to remove something that is fixed into or onto something else
I'm going to the dentist to get a tooth pulled.
pull something up:
She was pulling up the weeds.
pull off:
Wash the mushrooms and pull off the stalks.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
3
[transitive] to move your body or part of your body using effort or force
pull something up/out/back etc:
She nearly lost a shoe pulling her foot out of the hole.
Head aching, he slowly pulled himself to his feet.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
4
[transitive] to injure a muscle by stretching it too much
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
5
[transitive] to take a gun or knife out of a pocket and be ready to use it
pull something on someone:
His attacker suddenly pulled a knife on him.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
6
[transitive] to open or close something that covers a window
Alice pulled the curtains shut.
The shopkeeper pulled down the blinds.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
7
[intransitive/transitive] if something pulls a person or organization in a particular direction, it makes them want to do something by strongly attracting or influencing them
Her heart pulled one way, her head another.
Factions in the party are pulling in different directions.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
8
pull
or
pull in
[transitive] if a performer or a performance pulls an audience, a large number of people come to watch them
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
1. a.
  [transitive] mainly American if a politician pulls votes, a lot of people vote for them
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
9
[transitive] to suck smoke from a cigarette, pipe etc into your mouth or lungs
pull on/at:
Mrs Harris stood at the door pulling on a cigarette.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
10
[intransitive/transitive] British informal if you pull someone, that person is attracted to you in a sexual or romantic way
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull

phrases

pull a fast one
informal
to trick someone
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
pull someone's leg
to tell someone something that is not true, as a joke
I think he was just pulling your leg.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
pull the other one (it's got bells on)
British informal
used for telling someone that you do not believe what they are saying
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
pull out all the stops
to make a big effort so that something happens or is successful
We're going to pull out all the stops to get this show ready in time.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
pull rank (on someone)
to use the fact that you are more important or powerful than someone in order to force them to do what you want
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
pull your socks up
British informal
used when you are telling someone that they are not doing a job well enough and that they must do better
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
pull strings
to use your influence in order to get something that you want or to help someone, especially when this is unfair
He had pulled strings in order to get his son into the college.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
pull the strings
if someone is pulling the strings, they are controlling a situation and the people in it, especially secretly
It's the record company, not the band, that is really pulling the strings.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
pull something to pieces/apart/to bits
1. 1
  to separate the connected pieces of something
  They're pulling that plane apart to find out what's wrong.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
2. 2
  to show very clearly that what someone has said or written is badly done or not true
  My lawyer is pulling their case to pieces.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
pull to a stop/halt
to stop moving
The car pulled to a stop and a woman got out.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
pull a trick/stunt
informal
to do something silly or dangerous, especially in order to trick or impress someone
Why on earth would he pull a stupid stunt like that?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
pull the wool over someone's eyes
to try to trick or cheat someone by giving them wrong information
You're not pulling the wool over my eyes – I know what you're trying to do.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
pull yourself together
to control your emotions and behave calmly after being very upset, angry, shocked etc
You have to pull yourself together, go out there and talk to them.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull

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pull

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pull

pull in

phrases

pull a fast one

pull someone's leg

pull the other one (it's got bells on)

pull out all the stops

pull rank (on someone)

pull your socks up

pull strings

pull the strings

pull something to pieces/apart/to bits

pull to a stop/halt

pull a trick/stunt

pull the wool over someone's eyes

pull yourself together

phrasal verbs

charticle

Word of the Day

tweet

never event