What does "pull" mean?

1. (to move toward you) to use force to move something toward yourself. 2. (to injure a muscle) to hurt a muscle by stretching it too far. 3. (to remove or withdraw) to take something away from a place or stop it from being available. 4. (to perform a trick) to do something, usually a trick or something slightly bad. 5. (to attract someone) to successfully attract someone you are interested in dating. 6. (the act of pulling) the act of using force to move something toward you. 7. (a handle) a part of something that you hold to pull it open. 8. (influence or power) the power to influence people or get what you want. 9. (attraction or appeal) a strong feeling that makes you want to go somewhere or do something. 10. (a drink or puff) a single deep breath of smoke or a large swallow of a drink.

How do you use "pull"?

Always used with a body part as the direct object. Often used in business or media contexts. Commonly used in the phrase 'pull a stunt' or 'pull a prank'. Often used intransitively in British slang. Often used in political or business contexts. Usually followed by the preposition 'on' or 'of'.

pull

v. · n.

US //ˈpʊɫ// UK //pˈʊl// pull

1 to move toward you (v.)
A1 Beginner

to use force to move something toward yourself.

to exert force upon an object so as to cause motion toward the source of the force.

Example

You have to pull the door hard to open it because the wood is old.

Example

The child continued to pull at his mother's sleeve until she finally looked down to see what he wanted.
- tug
- drag
- draw
- push
- shove
2 to injure a muscle (v.)
B1 Intermediate Medicine

to hurt a muscle by stretching it too far.

to injure a muscle, tendon, or ligament by overexertion or overstretching.

Example

He had to stop running because he pulled a muscle in his leg.

Example

The athlete was forced to withdraw from the competition after he pulled a hamstring during the final warm-up session.

Usage

Always used with a body part as the direct object.
- strain
- tear

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3 to remove or withdraw (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to take something away from a place or stop it from being available.

to withdraw something from circulation, availability, or a specific location.

Example

The company decided to pull the product from stores after finding a defect.

Example

The publisher was forced to pull the controversial advertisement following a wave of public complaints.

Usage

Often used in business or media contexts.
- insert
- issue
4 to perform a trick (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

to do something, usually a trick or something slightly bad.

to carry out or perform an action, typically one that is deceptive or unexpected.

Example

Don't try to pull any tricks on me; I know what you're doing.

Example

It was a risky move, but the pilot managed to pull off a perfect emergency landing in the field.

Usage

Commonly used in the phrase 'pull a stunt' or 'pull a prank'.
5 to attract someone (v.)
C1 Advanced Slang British English

to successfully attract someone you are interested in dating.

to attract or persuade someone into a romantic or sexual encounter.

Example

He was hoping to pull someone at the party last night.

Example

Despite his lack of confidence, he managed to pull a date for the upcoming formal dance.

Usage

Often used intransitively in British slang.

Teacher's tip

This is very informal and mostly used by younger people in social settings.
- attract
- seduce
6 the act of pulling (n.)
B1 Intermediate

the act of using force to move something toward you.

an instance of applying force toward oneself.

Example

Give the rope a strong pull to make sure it is tied tightly.

Example

With one final, desperate pull, the rescuers managed to haul the climber back onto the ledge.
- tug
- jerk
- push
7 a handle (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a part of something that you hold to pull it open.

a device or part designed to be pulled, such as a handle, knob, or cord.

Example

The drawer pull was made of shiny brass.

Example

The architect specified custom-made leather pulls for the cabinet doors to match the office's aesthetic.
8 influence or power (n.)
C1 Advanced Informal

the power to influence people or get what you want.

the power to influence situations or people; social or professional clout.

Example

He has a lot of pull with the local government.

Example

Without significant political pull, it is unlikely that the small non-profit will secure the necessary funding for the project.

Usage

Often used in political or business contexts.
9 attraction or appeal (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a strong feeling that makes you want to go somewhere or do something.

a force of attraction or a compelling interest that draws someone toward something.

Example

She felt the pull of her home town and decided to move back.

Example

The magnetic pull of the city's nightlife proved too strong for the young students to resist.
- repulsion
10 a drink or puff (n.)
C1 Advanced Informal

a single deep breath of smoke or a large swallow of a drink.

an act of inhaling smoke from a cigarette or pipe, or a deep swallow of a liquid.

Example

He took a long pull of his cold beer after the long walk.

Example

He took a final pull on his cigarette before crushing it out in the overflowing ashtray.

Usage

Usually followed by the preposition 'on' or 'of'.
- swig
- puff
- drag

Origin

Verb from Middle English pullen, from Old English pullian (“to pull, draw, tug, pluck off”), of uncertain ultimate origin. Related to West Frisian pûlje (“to shell, husk”), Middle Dutch pullen (“to drink”), Middle Dutch polen (“to peel, strip”), Low German pulen (“to pick, pluck, pull, tear, strip off husks”), Icelandic púla (“to work hard, beat”). Noun from Middle English pul, pull, pulle, from the verb pullen (“to pull”).

Word family

Verbpull
Nounpulling

Idioms44 entries