pull: Meaning and Definition of
pull
Pronunciation: (pool), [key] — v.t.
- to draw or haul toward oneself or itself, in a particular direction, or into a particular position: to pull a sled up a hill.
- to draw or tug at with force.
- to rend or tear: to pull a cloth to pieces.
- to draw or pluck away from a place of growth, attachment, etc.: to pull a tooth; to pull weeds.
- to strip of feathers, hair, etc., as a bird or hide.
- to draw out (as a knife or gun) for ready use (usually fol. by on): Do you know what to do when someone pulls a knife on you?
- to perform successfully (often fol. by off): They pulled a spectacular coup.
- to carry out (esp. something deceitful or illegal): Police believe the men pulled all three robberies. What kind of trick did she pull this time?
- to put on or affect: He pulled a long face when I reprimanded him.
- to withdraw or remove: to pull an ineffective pitcher.
- to attract or win: to pull many votes in the industrial areas.
- to bring (a horse) to a stand by pulling on the reins.
- to take (an impression or proof&hasp;) from type, a cut or plate, etc.: to pull a print.
- to be provided with or rowed with (a certain number of oars): This boat pulls 12 oars.
- to propel by rowing, as a boat.
- to strain (a muscle, ligament, or tendon).
- to be assigned (a specific task or duty): I pulled guard duty our first night in port.
- to hold in or check (a racehorse), esp. so as to prevent from winning.
- 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.
—v.i. - to exert a drawing, tugging, or hauling force (often fol. by at).
- to inhale through a pipe, cigarette, etc.
- to become or come as specified, by being pulled: This rope will pull.
- to row.
- to proceed by rowing.
- (of an advertisement) The ad pulled badly.
- to have effectiveness, as specified:The ad pulled badly.
- to be effective:That spot announcement really pulled!
- to analyze critically, esp. to point out errors: The professor proceeded to pull the student's paper apart.
- He tried to pull away from his opponent's powerful grip.
- 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.
- to pull a shade down.
- to draw downward:to pull a shade down.
- to demolish; wreck.
- to lower; reduce.
- Informal.to receive as a salary; earn:It wasn't long before he was pulling down more than fifty thousand a year.
- to support actively; encourage: They were pulling for the Republican candidate.
- The train pulled in early.
- to reach a place; arrive:The train pulled in early.
- to tighten; curb:to pull in the reins.
- Informal.to arrest (someone):The police pulled her in for questioning.
- to perform successfully, esp. something requiring courage, daring, or shrewdness: We'll be rich if we can pull the deal off.
- 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.
- The ship pulled out of the harbor.
- to leave; depart:The ship pulled out of the harbor.
- to abandon abruptly:to pull out of an agreement.
- 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.
- See(def. 21).
- See(def. 20).
- to come safely through (a crisis, illness, etc.); survive: The patient eventually pulled through after having had a close brush with death.
- She pulled up all the crab grass in the lawn.
- 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.
—n. - the act of pulling or drawing.
- force used in pulling; pulling power.
- 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.
- influence, as with persons able to grant favors.
- a part or thing to be pulled; a handle or the like: to replace the pulls on a chest of drawers.
- a spell, or turn, at rowing.
- a stroke of an oar.
- a pulled muscle: He missed a week's work with a groin pull.
- a pulling of the ball, as in baseball or golf.
- the ability to attract; drawing power.
- an advantage over another or others.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.