pull - Dictionary definition and pronunciation

pull

l) KEY

VERB:
pulled , pull·ing , pulls
VERB:
tr.

To apply force to so as to cause or tend to cause motion toward the source of the force.
To remove from a fixed position; extract: The dentist pulled the tooth.
To tug at; jerk or tweak.
To rip or tear; rend.
To stretch (taffy, for example) repeatedly.
To strain (a muscle, for example) injuriously.
Informal To attract; draw: a performer who pulls large crowds.
Slang To draw out (a weapon) in readiness for use: pull a gun; pulled a knife on me.
Informal To remove: pulled the engine; pulled the tainted meat product from the stores.
Sports To hit (a ball) so that it moves in the direction away from the dominant hand of the player propelling it, as to the left of a right-handed player.
Nautical
1. To operate (an oar) in rowing.
2. To transport or propel by rowing.
3. To be rowed by: That boat pulls six oars.
To rein in (a horse) to keep it from winning a race.
Printing To produce (a print or an impression) from type.

VERB:
intr.

To exert force in moving something toward the source of the force.
To drink or inhale deeply: pulled on the cold beer with gusto; pull on a cigarette.
Nautical To row a boat.
Informal To express or feel great sympathy or empathy: We're pulling for our new president.

NOUN:

The act or process of pulling.
Force exerted in pulling or required to overcome resistance in pulling.
A sustained effort: a long pull across the mountains.
Something, such as a knob on a drawer, that is used for pulling.
A deep inhalation or draft, as on a cigarette or of a beverage.
Slang A means of gaining special advantage; influence: The lobbyist has pull with the senator.
Informal Ability to draw or attract; appeal: a star with pull at the box office.

PHRASAL VERBS:
pull away

To move away or backward; withdraw: The limousine pulled away from the curb.
To move ahead: The horse pulled away and took the lead in the race.

pull back

To withdraw or retreat.

pull down

To demolish; destroy: pull down an old office building.
To reduce to a lower level.
To depress, as in spirits or health.
Informal To draw (money) as wages: pulls down a hefty salary.

pull in

To arrive at a destination: We pulled in at midnight.
To rein in; restrain.
To arrest (a criminal suspect, for example).

pull off Informal

To perform in spite of difficulties or obstacles; bring off: pulled off a last-minute victory.

pull out

To leave or depart: The train pulls out at noon.
To withdraw, as from a situation or commitment: After the crash, many Wall Street investors pulled out.

pull over

To bring a vehicle to a stop at a curb or at the side of a road: We pulled over to watch the sunset.
To instruct or force (a motorist) to bring his or her vehicle to a stop at a curb or at the side of a road: The state trooper pulled the speeding motorist over.

pull round

To restore or be restored to sound health.

pull through

To come or bring successfully through trouble or illness.

pull up

To bring or come to a halt.
To move to a position or place ahead, as in a race.

IDIOMS:
pull a fast one Informal

To play a trick or perpetrate a fraud.

pull (oneself) together

To regain one's composure.

pull (one's) punches

To refrain from deploying all the resources or force at one's disposal: didn't pull any punches during the negotiations.

pull (one's) weight

To do one's own share, as of work.

pull out all the stops Informal

To deploy all the resources or force at one's disposal: The Inaugural Committee pulled out all the stops when arranging the ceremonies.

pull (someone's) leg

To play a joke on; tease or deceive.

pull something

To carry out a deception or swindle.

pull strings /wires Informal

To exert secret control or influence in order to gain an end.

pull the plug on Slang

To stop supporting or bring to an end: pulled the plug on the new art courses.

pull the rug (out) from under Informal

To remove all support and assistance from, usually suddenly.

pull the string

Baseball To throw an off-speed pitch.

pull the wool over (someone's) eyes

To deceive; hoodwink.

pull together

To make a joint effort.

pull up stakes

To clear out; leave: She pulled up stakes in New England and moved to the desert.

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English pullen, from Old English pullian

OTHER FORMS:
puller (Noun)

SYNONYMS:
pull , drag , draw , haul , tow ¹ , tug

These verbs mean to cause something to move toward the source of an applied force: pull a sled up a hill; drag furniture across the floor; drew up a chair; hauls wood from the forest; a car that tows a trailer; tugged at the oars.
Antonym: push

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Definition of pull