- pull
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/pool/, v.t.1. to draw or haul toward oneself or itself, in a particular direction, or into a particular position: to pull a sled up a hill.2. to draw or tug at with force.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 fol. by on): Do you know what to do when someone pulls a knife on you?8. Informal. 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?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. Print., 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.17. Mil. to be assigned (a specific task or duty): I pulled guard duty our first night in port.19. 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.v.i.20. to exert a drawing, tugging, or hauling force (often fol. by at).21. to inhale through a pipe, cigarette, etc.22. to become or come as specified, by being pulled: This rope will pull.23. to row.24. to proceed by rowing.25. (of an advertisement)a. to have effectiveness, as specified: The ad pulled badly.b. to be effective: That spot announcement really pulled!26. pull apart, to analyze critically, esp. to point out errors: The professor proceeded to pull the student's paper apart.27. pull away,a. to move or draw back or away; withdraw.b. to free oneself with force: He tried to pull away from his opponent's powerful grip.c. to move or start to move ahead: The car pulled away into traffic. The faster runners began to pull away from the others.28. pull down,a. to draw downward: to pull a shade down.b. to demolish; wreck.c. to lower; reduce.d. Informal. to receive as a salary; earn: It wasn't long before he was pulling down more than fifty thousand a year.29. pull for, to support actively; encourage: They were pulling for the Republican candidate.30. pull in,a. to reach a place; arrive: The train pulled in early.b. to tighten; curb: to pull in the reins.31. pull off, Informal. to perform successfully, esp. something requiring courage, daring, or shrewdness: We'll be rich if we can pull the deal off.32. pull oneself together, 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.33. pull out,a. to leave; depart: The ship pulled out of the harbor.b. to abandon abruptly: to pull out of an agreement.34. pull over, 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.37. pull through, to come safely through (a crisis, illness, etc.); survive: The patient eventually pulled through after having had a close brush with death.38. pull up,a. to bring or come to a halt.b. to bring or draw closer.c. to root up; pull out: She pulled up all the crab grass in the lawn.n.39. the act of pulling or drawing.40. force used in pulling; pulling power.41. 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.42. Informal. influence, as with persons able to grant favors.43. a part or thing to be pulled; a handle or the like: to replace the pulls on a chest of drawers.44. a spell, or turn, at rowing.45. a stroke of an oar.46. Informal. a pulled muscle: He missed a week's work with a groin pull.47. a pulling of the ball, as in baseball or golf.48. Informal. the ability to attract; drawing power.49. Informal. an advantage over another or others.[bef. 1000; ME pullen (v.), OE pullian to pluck, pluck the feathers of, pull, tug; cf. MLG pulen to strip off husks, pick, ON pula to work hard]
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Universalium. 2010.