Pull (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

verb (used with object)
  1. to draw or haul toward oneself or itself, in a particular direction, or into a particular position: We pulled the sled up a hill.She pulled the child out of the path of the swerving bicycle.
  2. to draw or tug at with force: To ring the bell, just pull the rope.
  3. to rend or tear: to pull a cloth to pieces.
  4. to draw or pluck away from a place of growth, attachment, etc.: to pull a tooth;to pull weeds.
  5. to strip of feathers, hair, etc., as a bird or hide.
  6. to draw out (as a knife or gun) for ready use (usually followed by on): Do you know what to do when someone pulls a knife on you?
  7. to perform successfully (often followed by off): They pulled a spectacular coup.
  8. to carry out (especially something deceitful or illegal): Police believe the men pulled all three robberies. What kind of trick did she pull this time?
  9. to put on or affect: He pulled a long face when I reprimanded him.
  10. to withdraw or remove: to pull an ineffective pitcher.
  11. to attract or win: to pull many votes in the industrial areas.
  12. to bring (a horse) to a stand by pulling on the reins.
  13. to take (an impression or proof) from type, a cut or plate, etc.: to pull a print.
  14. to be provided with or rowed with (a certain number of oars): This boat pulls 12 oars.
  15. to propel by rowing, as a boat.
  16. to strain (a muscle, ligament, or tendon).
  17. to stretch (taffy or chewing gum).
  18. to be assigned (a specific task or duty): I pulled guard duty our first night in port.
  19. to hold in or check (a racehorse), especially so as to prevent from winning.
  20. to hit (a ball) so that it travels in a direction opposite to the side from which it was struck, as when a right-handed batter hits into left field.
verb (used without object)
  1. to exert a drawing, tugging, or hauling force (often followed by at).
  2. to inhale through a pipe, cigarette, etc.
  3. to become or come as specified, by being pulled: This rope will pull.
  4. to row.
  5. to proceed by rowing.
  6. (of an advertisement)
    • to have effectiveness, as specified: The ad pulled badly.
    • to be effective: That spot announcement really pulled!
noun
  1. the act of pulling or drawing.
  2. force used in pulling; pulling power.
  3. a drawing in of smoke or a liquid through the mouth: He took a long, thoughtful pull on his pipe. I took a pull from the scout's canteen.
  4. influence, as with persons able to grant favors.
  5. a part or thing to be pulled; a handle or the like: to replace the pulls on a chest of drawers.
  6. a spell, or turn, at rowing.
  7. a stroke of an oar.
  8. a pulled muscle: He missed a week's work with a groin pull.
  9. a pulling of the ball, as in baseball or golf.
  10. the ability to attract; drawing power.
  11. an advantage over another or others.
Verb Phrases
  1. pull away,
    • to move or draw back or away; withdraw.
    • to free oneself with force: He tried to pull away from his opponent's powerful grip.
    • to move or start to move ahead: The car pulled away into traffic. The faster runners began to pull away from the others.
  2. pull down,
    • to draw downward: to pull a shade down.
    • to demolish; wreck.
    • to lower; reduce.
    • to receive as a salary; earn: It wasn't long before he was pulling down more than two hundred thousand a year.
  3. to support actively; encourage: They were pulling for the Republican candidate.
  4. pull in,
    • to reach a place; arrive: The train pulled in early.
    • to tighten; curb: to pull in the reins.
    • to arrest (someone): The police pulled her in for questioning.
  5. to perform successfully, especially something requiring courage, daring, or shrewdness: We'll be rich if we can pull the deal off.
  6. pull out,
    • to leave; depart: The ship pulled out of the harbor.
    • to abandon abruptly: to pull out of an agreement.
  7. to direct one's automobile or other vehicle to the curb; move out of a line of traffic: The police officer told the driver to pull over.
  8. to come safely through (a crisis, illness, etc.); survive: The patient eventually pulled through after having had a close brush with death.
  9. pull up,
    • to bring or come to a halt.
    • to bring or draw closer.
    • to root up; pull out: She pulled up all the crab grass in the lawn.
Idioms
  1. to analyze critically, especially to point out errors: The professor proceeded to pull the student's paper apart.
  2. to recover one's self-control; regain command of one's emotions: It was only a minor accident, but the driver couldn't seem to pull himself together.
  3. leg (def. 26).
  4. plug (def. 35).
verb (mainly tr)
  1. to exert force on (an object) so as to draw it towards the source of the force
  2. to exert force on so as to remove; extract
  3. to strip of feathers, hair, etc; pluck
  4. to draw the entrails from (a fowl)
  5. to rend or tear
  6. to strain (a muscle, ligament, or tendon) injuriously
  7. to perform or bring about
  8. to draw out (a weapon) for use
  9. to attract
  10. to attract (a sexual partner)
  11. to drink or inhale deeply
  12. to put on or make (a grimace)
  13. to move (a vehicle) or (of a vehicle) be moved in a specified manner
  14. to take (a proof) from type
  15. to withdraw or remove
  16. to hit (a ball) so that it veers away from the direction in which the player intended to hit it (to the left for a right-handed player)
  17. to hit (a ball pitched straight or on the off side) to the leg side
  18. to strike (a fast-moving ball) in the same direction as it is already moving
  19. to row (a boat) or take a stroke of (an oar) in rowing
  20. to be rowed by
  21. (of a rider) to restrain (a horse), esp to prevent it from winning a race
  22. (of a horse) to resist strongly the attempts of a rider to rein in or check it
  23. to play a sly trick
  24. to criticize harshly
  25. be quiet!
  26. pull one's punches
    • to restrain the force of one's criticisms or actions
    • to restrain the force of one's blows, esp when deliberately losing after being bribed, etc
  27. to do one's fair or proper share of a task
  28. to exercise personal influence, esp secretly or unofficially
  29. to make fun of, fool, or tease someone
noun
  1. an act or an instance of pulling or being pulled
  2. the force or effort used in pulling
  3. the act or an instance of taking in drink or smoke
  4. something used for pulling, such as a knob or handle
  5. special advantage or influence
  6. the power to attract attention or support
  7. a period of rowing
  8. a single stroke of an oar in rowing
  9. the act of pulling the ball in golf, cricket, etc
  10. the act of checking or reining in a horse
  11. the amount of resistance in a bowstring, trigger, etc
Pull (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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