haul
v. · n.-
1 to pull or carry something heavy (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto pull or carry something that is very heavy or difficult to move.
to pull or drag with great effort or force; often implies the transport of heavy goods over a distance.
ExampleThe fishermen had to haul the heavy nets back onto the boat.
ExampleThe salvage crew spent several hours trying to haul the waterlogged debris from the harbour floor before the tide turned.
UsageOften used with 'up', 'down', or 'away' to indicate direction.
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2 to force someone to go somewhere (v.) C1 Advanced Informalto force someone to go somewhere to be punished or to answer questions.
to compel someone to appear for a formal hearing, trial, or disciplinary action.
ExampleThe manager hauled him into the office to explain why he was late.
ExampleThe CEO was hauled before the parliamentary committee to testify regarding the company's recent accounting discrepancies.
UsageCommonly used in the phrase 'haul someone over the coals' or 'haul someone before a judge'.
Teacher's tipThis sense carries a strong connotation of authority and lack of choice for the person being moved.
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3 a collection of items (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea large amount of something that has been stolen, caught, or bought.
the quantity of something caught or taken at one time, such as fish, stolen goods, or purchases.
ExampleThe thieves left behind most of their haul when the alarm went off.
ExampleAfter a successful morning at the local markets, she displayed her haul of vintage clothing and handmade ceramics on the dining table.
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4 a shopping video (n.) B1 Intermediate Informal Computinga video where someone shows and talks about things they have recently bought.
a social media video format in which a creator displays and reviews a collection of recently purchased items.
ExampleShe posted a massive makeup haul on her channel yesterday.
ExampleThe influencer's latest fashion haul garnered millions of views within hours, significantly boosting the featured brand's weekend sales.
UsageOften used as a modifier, as in 'haul video'.
Teacher's tipThis is a very common term in modern internet culture, particularly on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
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5 a long distance (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea long distance or a task that takes a long time.
a distance to be traversed, or a period of sustained effort.
ExampleIt is a long haul from the city to the coast, so we should leave early.
ExampleThe recovery process will be a long haul, requiring months of intensive physical therapy and dedicated rest.
UsageCommonly found in the idioms 'long haul' and 'short haul'.
Teacher's tipExplain that 'long-haul' is frequently used as an adjective for international flights.
From Middle English hālen, hailen, haulen, halien (“to drag, pull; to draw up”), from Old French haler (“to haul, pull”), from Frankish halōn (“to drag, fetch, haul”) or Middle Dutch halen (“to drag, fetch, haul”), possibly merging with Old English halian (“to haul, drag”); all from Proto-Germanic halōną, halēną, hulōną (“to call, fetch, summon”), from Proto-Indo-European kelh₁- (“to call, cry, summon”). The noun is derived from the verb. Cognates The word is cognate with Danish hale (“to haul”), Middle Dutch halen (“to draw, fetch, haul”), Dutch halen (“to fetch, bring, haul”), Old Frisian halia, Saterland Frisian halen (“to draw, haul, pull”), Low German halen (“to draw, pull”), Old High German halôn, holôn, German holen (“to fetch, get”), Norwegian hale (“to haul”), Old Saxon halôn (“to fetch, get”), Swedish hala (“to hale, haul, pull, tug”), and related to Old English ġeholian (“to get, obtain”).