pull

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.

   Antonyms: push

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. Informal. to perform successfully (often followed by off ):

   They pulled a spectacular coup.

8. Informal. 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. Printing, Graphics. 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. Military. 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. Sports. 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.

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)
   1. to have effectiveness, as specified:

      The ad pulled badly.

   2. to be effective:

      That spot announcement really pulled!

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: I took a pull from the scout's canteen.

   He took a long, thoughtful pull on his pipe.

   I took a pull from the scout's canteen.

4. Informal. 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. Informal. 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. Informal. the ability to attract; drawing power.
11. Informal. an advantage over another or others.

verb phrase

1. to come safely through (a crisis, illness, etc.); survive:

   The patient eventually pulled through after having had a close brush with death.

2. 1. to bring or come to a halt.
   2. to bring or draw closer.
   3. to root up; pull out:

      She pulled up all the crab grass in the lawn.

3. 1. to leave; depart:

      The ship pulled out of the harbor.

   2. to abandon abruptly:

      to pull out of an agreement.

4. 1. to reach a place; arrive:

      The train pulled in early.

   2. to tighten; curb:

      to pull in the reins.

   3. Informal. to arrest (someone):

      The police pulled her in for questioning.

5. 1. to draw downward:

      to pull a shade down.

   2. to demolish; wreck.
   3. to lower; reduce.
   4. Informal. to receive as a salary; earn:

      It wasn't long before he was pulling down more than two hundred thousand a year.

6. Informal. to perform successfully, especially something requiring courage, daring, or shrewdness:

   We'll be rich if we can pull the deal off.

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 support actively; encourage:

   They were pulling for the Republican candidate.

9. 1. to move or draw back or away; withdraw.
   2. to free oneself with force:

      He tried to pull away from his opponent's powerful grip.

   3. to move or start to move ahead:

      The car pulled away into traffic. The faster runners began to pull away from the others.