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pull up
Slang Dictionary

pull (one's) definition


  1. tv.
    to pull back during a boxing punch just before the full force of a blow is felt; to land lighter blows than normal upon an opponent. (Boxing and related sports.) : The boxer started pulling his punches, and the ref ended the fight.
  2. tv.
    to hold back in one's criticism; to attenuate the intensity of one's remarks. (Also with any in the negative.) : I won't pull my punches with you. This is lousy.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases

pull up

  1. Stop or cause to stop, as in He pulled up his horse, or They pulled up in front of the door. [Early 1600s]

  2. Catch up, advance in relation to others, as in a race. For example, She was behind at the start, but she quickly pulled up. [Late 1800s] Also see pull oneself up by one's bootstraps.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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