26984 words

pulling

12 definitions • 25 examples
1
present participle of
2
to move something towards yourself, sometimes with great physical effort:

Examples:

Could you help me move this bookcase over there? You pull and I'll push.
He pulled the chair away from the desk.
He pulled the heavy box across the floor to the door.
[ + obj + adj ] He pulled the door open.
The car was pulling a caravan.
pull something down The sun was so strong we had to pull down the blinds.
pull something out She pulled out the drawer.
3
to take something out of or away from a place, especially using physical effort:

Examples:

pull something off He pulled off his sweater.
pull something out The dentist pulled both teeth out.
pull something up I spent the morning pulling up the weeds in the flowerbeds.
4
to remove or stop something that was going to be published or broadcast, especially because it is found to be offensive or not accurate:

Examples:

When officials realized the cultural gaffe, the company pulled the ad and apologized.
5
in sport, to take a player out of a game:

Examples:

The coach pulled his starting pitcher with one out in the fifth inning.
The team decided to pull the goalie with one minute left to bring on an extra attacker.
6
to move in the stated direction:

Examples:

pull ahead During the last lap of the race one of the runners began to pull ahead.
pull out of We waved as the train pulled out of the station.
pull back Our armies are pulling back on all fronts.
7
to take hold of something and use effort to move your body forwards or up:

Examples:

He put his hands on the side of the pool and pulled himself out of the water.
8
to attract a person or people:

Examples:

pull (in) the crowds The show has certainly pulled (in) the crowds.
9
to succeed in starting a sexual relationship with someone:

Examples:

He certainly knows how to pull women.
Did Tracy pull at the nightclub last night?
10
to injure a muscle by stretching it too much:

Examples:

I pulled a muscle in my back lifting some drawers.
11

Examples:

The gang that pulled the bank robbery were all arrested.
pull something on someone No one's gonna pull that kind of trick on me!
12
to get information from the internet, after asking or searching for it:

Examples:

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