1
general::
pull together
to work hard as a group in order to achieve something
• We don't have much time but if we all pull together we should get the job done., pull sb up
to tell someone that they have done something wrong
• She's always pulling me up for/over my bad spelling., pull (sb/sth) out
[ M ] AREA
1. If soldiers or military forces pull out or are pulled out, they move out of an area because they have been ordered to. , pull through (sth)
to become well again after a serious illness, especially when you might have died
• They said the operation had been successful and they expected his wife to pull through., pull (sb/sth) out
[ M ] ACTIVITY
2. to stop being involved in an activity or agreement
• He pulled out of the deal at the last moment.
• They've pulled all their athletes out of the competition., pull up
When a car or someone driving a car pulls up, the driver stops the car, often for a short time
• A car pulled up outside my house., pull sb down
[ M ] UK old-fashioned
If an illness or a difficult situation or experience pulls you down, it makes you feel unhappy or physically weak
• That virus she had two months ago really pulled her down - she still hasn't fully recovered., pull back (from sth )
mainly US
to decide not to do or involve yourself with something when you were previously going to
• It is rumoured that the company intends to pull back from petrochemicals., pull sth/sb apart
[ M ]
to separate two things or people
• They went for each other with their fists and had to be pulled apart., pull yourself together
[ R ]
to become calm and behave normally again after being angry or upset
• Just pull yourself together. There's no point crying about it., pull sth down
[ M ]
to destroy a building
• They pulled down the warehouse to build a new supermarket., pull over
If a vehicle pulls over, it moves to the side of the road and stops
• Just pull over here, and I'll get out and walk the rest of the way., pull away
PERSON
2. If you pull away from someone who is holding you, you suddenly move your body backwards, away from them
• She pulled away just as he was about to kiss her., pull sth apart
[ M ] CRITICIZE
2. to say that something, usually a piece of work, is very bad
• The last essay I gave him he completely pulled apart., pull out
If a vehicle pulls out, it starts moving onto a road or onto a different part of the road
• A car pulled right out in front of me., pull at sth
to pull something quickly and usually repeatedly
• The child pulled at his sleeve to catch his attention.
• He pulled at his ear as he spoke., pull sth apart
[ M ] DESTROY
1. to destroy something by tearing it into pieces , pull sth back
[ M ]
If a team that is losing pulls a goal back or pulls points back, it scores a goal or wins some points. , pull in/pull into somewhere
If a vehicle pulls in or pulls into somewhere, it moves in that direction and stops there
• He pulled in at the side of the road.
• I pulled into the empty parking space., pull away
VEHICLE
1. If a vehicle pulls away, it starts moving
• There was a roar and a cloud of smoke as the car pulled away from the traffic lights., pull sth on
[ M ]
to put on clothes quickly
• I pulled on my jeans and ran downstairs.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with PULL, Also see FAST ONE, PULL A; HAVE PULL WITH; LIKE PULLING TEETH.
American Heritage Idioms
3
general::
verb ADV. hard He got hold of the rope and pulled hard. | gently | apart, off, on, out, over She pulled off her boots. He pulled his sweater on. | along, away, back She took his arm and pulled him along. The dog snapped at her and she pulled back her hand. VERB + PULL try to He tried to pull away. | manage to PREP. at He pulled at her coat sleeve. | on She pulled on the lever. | towards She pulled him gently towards her. PHRASES pull (yourself) free John finally managed to pull himself free. | pull yourself to your feet, noun act of pulling ADJ. sharp | strong | gentle | downward | gravitational the earth's gravitational pull | magnetic (figurative) The magnetic pull of the city was hard to resist. VERB + PULL give sth I gave the door a sharp pull. | feel (figurative) She felt the pull of her homeland. PREP. ~ at A gentle pull at her sleeve got her attention. | ~ on He felt a strong pull on the rope. on a cigarette/drink ADJ. long VERB + PULL take She took a long pull on her cigarette and sighed. PREP. ~ at a pull at his flask | ~ on
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
5
general::
pull
to make something or someone move in the direction that your hands are moving:
• He pulled her towards him and kissed her. • Sam was pulling on his socks.
tug
to pull something suddenly with a short quick movement, often to get someone’s attention:
• ‘Look,’ he said, tugging at his brother’s sleeve. • I tugged at the drawer but it wouldn’t open.
drag
to pull something along the ground, especially because it is heavy:
• If we can’t lift the piano, we’ll have to drag it.
haul
to pull something big and heavy using a lot of effort, especially upwards and using a rope:
• They hauled their boats further up the beach. • fishermen hauling in their nets
heave
to pull or lift something very heavy, especially with one movement:
• He heaved the sack of sand onto his shoulder.
draw
formal to pull something or someone gently in a particular direction:
• Lisa reached for his hand but he drew it away.
pull
to be attached to a vehicle or piece of machinery and make it move behind you in the direction you are going:
• Ten dogs were pulling a sledge over the ice. • a tractor pulling a plough
tow
to pull a vehicle behind – used about a vehicle, a boat, or a horse pulling something using a rope or chain:
• The car in front of us was towing a caravan. • Horses were used to tow the boats along the canals.
draw
to pull a vehicle such as a carriage – used especially about horses doing this:
• a carriage drawn by four horses • a horse-drawn cart
Longman-Thesaurus