16 English Phrasal Verbs With 'PULL'

• Phrasal Verb List
• Exercises
• Search

What's covered on this page

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'