Phrasal verb
pull out
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
pull out
Past
pulled out
Past participle
pulled out
Definition
phrasal verb. to stop being involved in an agreement, project, or competition. You use this when someone decides to leave something they previously committed to.
phrasal verb. to withdraw from a commitment, undertaking, or organization. This phrasal verb is often used intransitively or followed by the preposition 'of' to indicate the source of withdrawal.
Examples
“The main sponsor decides to pull out of the deal.”
“After the company's profits dropped, the board of directors decided to pull out of the international merger.”
“The coalition forces were forced to pull out of the territory after the peace negotiations collapsed and public sentiment turned sharply against the intervention.”
Examples
simple
“The main sponsor decides to pull out of the deal.”
contextual
“After the company's profits dropped, the board of directors decided to pull out of the international merger.”
complex
“The coalition forces were forced to pull out of the territory after the peace negotiations collapsed and public sentiment turned sharply against the intervention.”
Usage
When followed by an object, it almost always requires the preposition 'of'.
Teaching tip
Contrast 'pull out' with 'back out'; 'pull out' is frequently used in business and military contexts for large-scale withdrawals.
Pitfall
The team pulled out the competition.
The team pulled out of the competition.
The preposition 'of' is necessary when mentioning the specific activity being abandoned.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
pull + out (+ of + object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
PHRASAL VERB
Grammar
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/pull-out