Phrasal verbs with “pull” in English

Phrasal verbs with “pull” [pʊl] in English are very common constructions that are used in various situations. These phrasal verbs can have different meanings and are used in different tenses, so let’s look at some of the more common ones. If we consider the word “pull” in the English language, it is often used as a verb and has many meanings. It is also often used as a noun.

Basic phrasal verbs with pull

Consider the verb to pull as a phrasal verb and examples of the most frequent uses

• pull away – means to move away or drive away from a place.
  • She watched the car pull away.
  • Chicago pulled away in the third quarter to win 107-76
  • She pulled away just as he was about to kiss her
• pull ahead – means to move forward, especially in a race or competition
  • The cyclists were together until the bend, when Tyler pulled ahead
• pull apart – means to separate or divide something into pieces.
  • He pulled the engine apart to see what was wrong with it
• pull back – means to retreat or move away from something
  • They are preparing to pull back their forces
  • In the end he pulled back from financing the film
  • Rangers pulled back to 4-3.
• pull down – means to demolish or destroy a building or structure
  • Everywhere elegant old buildings are being pulled down and mediocre modern erections are being put up
  • They’re going to pull down the old factory and build a new one in its place
• pull in – means to arrive at a destination, often by vehicle
  • A police car pulled in behind me
  • The company is trying to pull in more customers with its new advertising campaign
  • I reckon she’s pulling in over $100000
  • I got pulled in to help with a school concert again
  • The police have pulled him in for questioning
  • The new singer is pulling in the crowds
• pull off – means to achieve something difficult or challenging.
  • The boat pulled off from the shore
  • He pulled off his jacket and threw it on the floor
  • We pulled off the deal
• pull out – means to remove or extract something from a place or situation
  • A car suddenly pulled out in front of me
  • The project      became  so expensive that we had to pull out
  • The train pulled out of the station right on time
• pull over – means to stop a vehicle by the side of the road
  • She saw the ambulance coming up behind her and pulled over
  • The police officer pulled him over for speeding
• pull  through – means to recover from an illness or difficult situation
  • We were worried about her health, but she managed to pull through
  • We thought she was going to die but her own will-power pulled her through
• pull together – means to work together in a coordinated manner to achieve a goal 
  • If we all pull together, I’m sure we can win
• pull oneself together – means to regain composure or self-control after a difficult or emotional experience
  • Pull yourself together, man! – Візьми себе в руки!
• pull up – means to stop a vehicle or come to a halt
  • He pulled up in front of the house and called out to his friend
• pull (somebody) up –  means to criticize or reprimand someone for their behavior or actions
  • The boss pulled up the employee for coming in late to wor
  • A red Buick pulled up at the lights
  • Andrew was pulled up for being a snob

These phrasal verbs with “pull” can be useful to expand your vocabulary and improve your English. These constructions can be used in any context, from colloquial to scientific, so it is useful to know them.

Video – Phrasal Verbs – Expressions with ‘PULL’

Test your knowledge of phrasal verbs with pull

Here are some questions to test your knowledge of phrasal verbs with “pull“:

1. What is the meaning of the phrasal verb “pull off“??
2. What phrasal verbs with “pull” can be used to indicate the destruction or demolition of a building?
3. What phrasal verbs with “pull” can be used to indicate a car stopping by the road?
4. Which phrasal verb with “pull” can be used to indicate the involvement of someone in something?
5. What is the meaning of the phrasal verb “pull together“?

Answers:

1. “Pull off” means to remove or tear something off
2. “Pull down” and “pull apart” can be used to indicate the destruction or demolition of a building
3. “Pull over” can be used to indicate a car stopping by the side of the road
4. “Pull in” can be used to indicate involving someone in something
5. “Pull together” means to combine efforts