# pull /ˈpʊɫ/ (US) · /pˈʊl/ (UK) Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pull Updated: 2026-06-19 ## Senses ### 1. to move toward you verb · CEFR A1 to use force to move something toward yourself. For teachers: to exert force upon an object so as to cause motion toward the source of the force. - You have to pull the door hard to open it because the wood is old. - The child continued to pull at his mother's sleeve until she finally looked down to see what he wanted. ### 2. to injure a muscle verb · CEFR B1 to hurt a muscle by stretching it too far. For teachers: to injure a muscle, tendon, or ligament by overexertion or overstretching. - He had to stop running because he pulled a muscle in his leg. - 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. ### 3. to remove or withdraw verb · CEFR B2 to take something away from a place or stop it from being available. For teachers: to withdraw something from circulation, availability, or a specific location. - The company decided to pull the product from stores after finding a defect. - The publisher was forced to pull the controversial advertisement following a wave of public complaints. Usage: Often used in business or media contexts. ### 4. to perform a trick verb · CEFR B2 · Informal to do something, usually a trick or something slightly bad. For teachers: to carry out or perform an action, typically one that is deceptive or unexpected. - Don't try to pull any tricks on me; I know what you're doing. - 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 verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · British English to successfully attract someone you are interested in dating. For teachers: to attract or persuade someone into a romantic or sexual encounter. - He was hoping to pull someone at the party last night. - Despite his lack of confidence, he managed to pull a date for the upcoming formal dance. Usage: Often used intransitively in British slang. Teaching tip: This is very informal and mostly used by younger people in social settings. ### 6. the act of pulling noun · CEFR B1 the act of using force to move something toward you. For teachers: an instance of applying force toward oneself. - Give the rope a strong pull to make sure it is tied tightly. - With one final, desperate pull, the rescuers managed to haul the climber back onto the ledge. ### 7. a handle noun · CEFR B2 a part of something that you hold to pull it open. For teachers: a device or part designed to be pulled, such as a handle, knob, or cord. - The drawer pull was made of shiny brass. - The architect specified custom-made leather pulls for the cabinet doors to match the office's aesthetic. ### 8. influence or power noun · CEFR C1 · Informal the power to influence people or get what you want. For teachers: the power to influence situations or people; social or professional clout. - He has a lot of pull with the local government. - 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 noun · CEFR B2 a strong feeling that makes you want to go somewhere or do something. For teachers: a force of attraction or a compelling interest that draws someone toward something. - She felt the pull of her home town and decided to move back. - The magnetic pull of the city's nightlife proved too strong for the young students to resist. ### 10. a drink or puff noun · CEFR C1 · Informal a single deep breath of smoke or a large swallow of a drink. For teachers: an act of inhaling smoke from a cigarette or pipe, or a deep swallow of a liquid. - He took a long pull of his cold beer after the long walk. - 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'. ## Examples - Give the rope a strong pull. - The pull of the large magnet was strong enough to attract paperclips from across the desk. - She felt the irresistible pull of the ocean, a deep, ancestral calling that drew her back to the coast year after year, regardless of her life's other commitments. --- From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.