English Reference

Phrasal verb

pull on

Irregular verb

Forms

Infinitive

pull on

Past

pulled on

Past participle

pulled on

Definition

phrasal verb. to put on a piece of clothing, especially when you do it quickly or the item is tight.

phrasal verb. To don a garment, often implying haste or the physical effort of sliding the item over the body. The verb is transitive and allows for the object to be placed between the verb and the particle.

Examples

“I pull on my boots before going outside.”

“It was freezing in the house, so she quickly pulled on a thick sweater before making coffee.”

“The firefighters had only seconds to pull on their heavy protective gear before the truck sped away toward the rising smoke on the horizon.”

Examples

simple

“I pull on my boots before going outside.”

contextual

“It was freezing in the house, so she quickly pulled on a thick sweater before making coffee.”

complex

“The firefighters had only seconds to pull on their heavy protective gear before the truck sped away toward the rising smoke on the horizon.”

Usage

This phrase is most common with items like socks, boots, sweaters, and gloves.

Teaching tip

Contrast with 'put on' to show that 'pull on' emphasizes the physical action or the speed of the movement.

Phrasal verb

Particles

on

Separability

optional

Pattern

pull + on + object

Synonyms

put ondonslip onthrow on

Antonyms

take offremovepull off

Word family

VERB

NOUN

PHRASAL VERB

pull on(B1)

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Very common
Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

QR code

englishreference.com/q/pull-on
English Reference