pull a lever
To vote.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“It is time to pull a lever for your favorite candidate.”
“I always pull a lever for the local candidate who promises better schools.”
“Do you plan to pull a lever for the current mayor again this year?”
“Many citizens wait in long lines on election day just to pull a lever for their chosen representative.”
“Even if you dislike both main parties, you should still pull a lever for the person who shares some of your values.”
“Young people often feel their voice does not matter, but they can change the government when they pull a lever together.”
“In a democracy, the most significant power a citizen holds is the quiet, private moment when they pull a lever to determine the future of their nation.”
The phrase originates from the mechanics of twentieth-century voting booths, in which a voter recorded their selection by physically pulling a lever. On these early mechanical machines, a lever was pulled for each individual candidate choice before a final, larger lever was pulled to cast the ballot and reset the device for the next citizen.
- 01
gravity's pull
Stress or pressure of a situation acting upon a person.
- 02
pull a face
To make an abnormal facial expression, either intentionally or because of an emotion.
- 03
pull a fast one
To carry out a trick or act of deception; to behave contrary to expectations.
- 04
pull a rabbit out of a hat
To do something surprising and beneficial that is unexpected.
- 05
pull ahead
To move into a winning position (e.g. in a race or competition).
- 06
pull an all-nighter
To stay awake throughout the night, usually when working or studying.
- 07
pull away
To move ahead.
- 08
pull back the curtain
To reveal an underlying truth.
Last updated August 10, 2026