Pull

To exert force on (something) so as to cause movement toward oneself or the origin of the force., To remove or extract something by force or effort., To attract or draw something or someone towards oneself., To move in a particular direction or to a particular location., To cause to become separated or detached.

Pull - Meanings

To exert force on (something) so as to cause movement toward oneself or the origin of the force.

Example: She pulled the door open.

Usage: formal/informalContext: everyday situations

Note: This is the most common meaning of 'pull' and can refer to physically moving objects towards oneself.

To remove or extract something by force or effort.

Example: He pulled out a pen from his pocket.

Usage: formal/informalContext: various contexts

Note: This meaning is often used when taking something out of a container or pocket.

To attract or draw something or someone towards oneself.

Example: The new marketing campaign pulled in a lot of customers.

Usage: formalContext: business/marketing contexts

Note: Commonly used in contexts related to attracting people or things.

To move in a particular direction or to a particular location.

Example: The train pulled into the station.

Usage: formalContext: transportation contexts

Note: This meaning is often used in the context of vehicles arriving at a destination.

To cause to become separated or detached.

Example: She pulled the plug on the project.

Usage: formalContext: professional contexts

Note: Used when stopping or discontinuing something.

Pull's synonyms

To exert force on (something) so as to cause or tend to cause motion toward the source of the force.

Example: She pulled the door open.

Note: The word 'pull' is a general term for exerting force to draw something towards oneself or in a particular direction.

drag

To pull along with effort or force.

Example: He dragged the heavy box across the room.

Note: While 'drag' also involves pulling something, it often implies moving something heavy or unwieldy.

haul

To pull or draw with force; to carry or transport with great effort.

Example: They hauled the boat out of the water.

Note: Haul typically involves moving something heavy or cumbersome over a distance.

tug

To pull something hard or suddenly.

Example: The child tugged at his mother's sleeve.

Note: Tug implies a quick or sharp pull, often with a jerking motion.

yank

To pull with a sudden, sharp movement.

Example: She yanked the cord out of the socket.

Note: Yank suggests a forceful or abrupt pulling action, often done quickly and forcefully.

Pull expressions, common phrases

Pull someone's leg

To tease or joke with someone in a light-hearted manner.

Example: I was just pulling your leg when I said I won the lottery.

Note: The phrase uses 'pull' metaphorically to mean 'tease' rather than literally pulling someone's leg.

Pull strings

To use one's influence or connections to achieve a desired outcome.

Example: He managed to get the job by pulling some strings with his connections.

Note: The phrase 'pull strings' means to use influence or connections, not physically pulling anything.

Pull the plug

To stop or discontinue something, often suddenly.

Example: The company decided to pull the plug on the project due to budget constraints.

Note: In this idiom, 'pull the plug' refers to abruptly stopping something, not physically pulling a plug.

Pull off

To successfully accomplish a difficult task or achieve something impressive.

Example: She managed to pull off the surprise party without him suspecting a thing.

Note: In this context, 'pull off' means achieving success or completing a challenging task, not physically pulling something.

Pull in

To attract or bring in something, usually people or customers.

Example: The store's new promotion really helped to pull in more customers.

Note: In this phrase, 'pull in' means to attract or bring in, not physically pulling something.

Pull everyday (slang) expressions

Pull over

To move a vehicle to the side of the road and stop.

Example: The police officer asked the driver to pull over for speeding.

Note: The original word 'pull' means to exert force on something to move it towards oneself, while 'pull over' involves stopping a vehicle at the side of the road.

Pull out

To move a vehicle out from a parking spot, junction, or similar position onto a road or other thoroughfare.

Example: Make sure you check your blind spot before you pull out into traffic.

Note: Although 'pull' can refer to moving things toward oneself, 'pull out' specifically pertains to moving a vehicle out from a stationary position into traffic.

Pull in the reins

To put limits on someone or something, especially to restrict behavior or spending.

Example: The manager decided to pull in the reins on spending to control the budget.

Note: While 'pull' generally means to move or exert force, 'pull in the reins' involves controlling or restricting something.

Pull rank

To assert authority or dominance based on one's hierarchical position.

Example: The new manager liked to pull rank on his colleagues to show his authority.

Note: The term 'pull rank' derives from 'pull' in the sense of using one's status or rank for advantage or control.

Pull a fast one

To deceive or trick someone in a clever or sly way.

Example: She tried to pull a fast one by pretending to be sick to get out of work.

Note: The slang term 'pull a fast one' takes the action of 'pull' to mean executing a deceptive or sneaky move.

Pull - Examples

Pull the door towards you.

She pulled the rope to lift the heavy box.

The company decided to pull out of the market.

Pull grammar

Pull - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)

Lemma: pull

Conjugations

Noun, plural (Noun, plural): pulls, pull

Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): pull

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): pulled

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): pulling

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): pulls

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): pull

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): pull

Syllabification and Stress

pull Contains 1 syllables: pull

Phonetic transcription: ˈpu̇l

pull , ˈpu̇l (The red syllable is stressed)

Pull - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

pull: ~ 3800 (Common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

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