1
general::
Phrase(s): pull at someone or something
to tug at someone or something. (See also pull at someone.) • The child kept pulling at her mother to get her attention. • Don’t keep pulling at your hair. It will come out., Phrase(s): pull at someone
to vie for someone’s attention or concern. (See also pull at someone or something.) • There are too many demands pulling at me. I need to cut down on my responsibilities. • I don’t see how I can function with so many different things pulling at me.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs