<p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object) to draw or haul toward oneself or itself, in a particular direction, or into a particular position: We pulled the sled up a hill.</li><li>to draw or tug at with force: To ring the bell, just pull the rope.</li><li>to rend or tear: to pull a cloth to pieces.</li><li>to draw or pluck away from a place of growth, attachment, etc.: to pull a tooth; to pull weeds.</li><li>to strip of feathers, hair, etc., as a bird or hide.</li><li>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?</li><li>to perform successfully (often followed by off): They pulled a spectacular coup.</li><li>to carry out (especially something deceitful or illegal): Police believe the men pulled all three robberies.</li><li>to put on or affect: He pulled a long face when I reprimanded him.</li><li>to withdraw or remove: to pull an ineffective pitcher.</li><li>to attract or win: to pull many votes in the industrial areas.</li><li>to bring (a horse) to a stand by pulling on the reins.</li><li>to take (an impression or proof) from type, a cut or plate, etc.: to pull a print.</li><li>to be provided with or rowed with (a certain number of oars): This boat pulls 12 oars.</li><li>to propel by rowing, as a boat.</li><li>to strain (a muscle, ligament, or tendon).</li><li>to stretch (taffy or chewing gum).</li><li>to be assigned (a specific task or duty): I pulled guard duty our first night in port.</li><li>to hold in or check (a racehorse), especially so as to prevent from winning.</li><li>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.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>to exert a drawing, tugging, or hauling force (often followed by at).</li><li>to inhale through a pipe, cigarette, etc.</li><li>to become or come as specified, by being pulled: This rope will pull.</li><li>to row.</li><li>to proceed by rowing.</li><li>(of an advertisement) to have effectiveness, as specified: The ad pulled badly.</li><li>to be effective: That spot announcement really pulled!</li></ul><p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>the act of pulling or drawing.</li><li>force used in pulling; pulling power.</li><li>a drawing in of smoke or a liquid through the mouth: I took a pull from the scout's canteen.</li><li>influence, as with persons able to grant favors.</li><li>a part or thing to be pulled; a handle or the like: to replace the pulls on a chest of drawers.</li><li>a spell, or turn, at rowing.</li><li>a stroke of an oar.</li><li>a pulled muscle: He missed a week's work with a groin pull.</li><li>a pulling of the ball, as in baseball or golf.</li><li>the ability to attract; drawing power.</li><li>an advantage over another or others.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb Phrase</strong></p><ul><li>to perform successfully, especially something requiring courage, daring, or shrewdness: We'll be rich if we can pull the deal off.</li><li>to leave; depart: The ship pulled out of the harbor.</li><li>to abandon abruptly: to pull out of an agreement.</li><li>to move or draw back or away; withdraw.</li><li>to free oneself with force: He tried to pull away from his opponent's powerful grip.</li><li>to move or start to move ahead: The car pulled away into traffic.</li><li>to support actively; encourage: They were pulling for the Republican candidate.</li><li>to reach a place; arrive: The train pulled in early.</li><li>to tighten; curb: to pull in the reins.</li><li>to arrest (someone): The police pulled her in for questioning.</li><li>to bring or come to a halt.</li><li>to bring or draw closer.</li><li>to root up; pull out: She pulled up all the crab grass in the lawn.</li><li>to draw downward: to pull a shade down.</li><li>to demolish; wreck.</li><li>to lower; reduce.</li><li>to receive as a salary; earn: It wasn't long before he was pulling down more than two hundred thousand a year.</li><li>to come safely through (a crisis, illness, etc.); survive: The patient eventually pulled through after having had a close brush with death.</li><li>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.</li></ul>