16 English Phrasal Verbs With 'PULL'

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16 phrasal verbs with 'PULL'

Pull ahead

  1. Overtake, move in front
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: The lorry was going slowly but we managed to PULL AHEAD.

Pull apart

  1. Destroy an argument, theory, etc
    (Separable [obligatory] | International English)
    » Example: My tutor PULLED my essay APART.
  2. Stop people or animals fighting
    (Separable [obligatory] | International English)
    » Example: A fight broke out in the pub and it was hard to PULL the people involved APART.
  3. Make someone unhappy or upset
    (Separable [obligatory] | International English)
    » Example: It PULLED me APART to see them arguing so much.

Pull away

  1. When a vehicle moves from a place
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: The car PULLED AWAY from the lights at high speed.

Pull back

  1. Score a goal or point when losing
    (Separable [optional] | British English)
    » Example: They were two-nil down until five minutes before the end, when they PULLED BACK a goal.
  2. Move away from a place, especially when talking about soldiers
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: They have PULLED the troops BACK from the front line.
  3. Move away from someone
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: She PULLED BACK when he tried to kiss her.
  4. Decide not to do something or not to be involved with it any longer
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: They PULLED BACK from the deal.

Pull down

  1. Demolish
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: They PULLED the old cinema DOWN to build a new shopping mall.
  2. Make someone depressed
    (Separable [optional] | American English)
    » Example: Losing her job PULLED her DOWN.
  3. Earn
    (Separable [optional] | American English)
    » Example: He's PULLING DOWN a fortune.

Pull for

  1. Support
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: Who will you be PULLING FOR in the final?

Pull in

  1. When a train arrives at a station
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: The train PULLED IN and we rushed to meet her as she got off.
  2. Attract
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: Their last tour PULLED IN millions of fans.
  3. Stop a car by the side of the road
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: I PULLED IN to let the passengers out.
  4. Areest or take someone to a police station for questioning
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: The police PULLED them IN after the trouble.
  5. Earn
    (Intransitive | British English)
    » Example: How much does she PULL IN a year?

Pull off

  1. Manage to do something difficult or tricky
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: No-one thought that she would be able to do it, but she PULLED it OFF in the end.
  2. Start moving (vehicles)
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: When the lights turned green, the car PULLED OFF.

Pull on

  1. Put clothes on
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: I PULLED ON a jumper when the sun went in.

Pull out

  1. Start moving (train)
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: The train was PULLING OUT when I got there.
  2. Move into traffic
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: The traffic was so bad that it took me ages to PULL OUT.
  3. Withdraw
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: The project was going badly and they decided to PULL OUT
  4. Remove soldiers from an area
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: People want the government to PULL the troops OUT.

Pull over

  1. Stop by the side of the road
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: The police PULLED the car OVER
  2. Make a vehicle stop
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: The police PULLED the car OVER and tested the driver for alcohol.

Pull through

  1. Recover from and illness or problem
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: At one stage it looked as if she was going to die, but she PULLED THROUGH in the end.

Pull to

  1. Close a door or window that has been left open
    (Separable [obligatory] | International English)
    » Example: Could you PULL the door TO, please?

Pull together

  1. Work together as a team
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: If we all PULL TOGETHER, we'll have it finished in no time.

Pull up

  1. Slow and stop a car
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: The cab PULLED UP outside my house and I got out.
  2. Inform someone that they are wrong
    (Separable [obligatory] | International English)
    » Example: He PULLED me UP because I had got my facts wrong.

Pull yourself together

  1. Become calm or regain control of your emotions
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: He was so angry that he couldn't PULL HIMSELF TOGETHER.

Take our Exercise on 'PULL'

Quiz for Verb: 'To PULL'

Choose the correct definition for each phrasal verb...

'Pull through' means...

'Pull back' means...

'Pull back' means...

'Pull back' means...

'Pull off' means...

'Pull apart' means...

'Pull up' means...

'Pull down' means...

'Pull yourself together' means...

'Pull out' means...

 

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