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One of my favorite teaching shortcuts is to focus on single base verbs. Take “pull” — it’s one of the most versatile verbs in English, and once you master the most common particles that go with it, you’ve unlocked a dozen different meanings. “Pull away”, “pull back”, “pull down”, “pull in”, “pull off”, “pull out”, “pull through” — the list goes on, and each one carries a different sense. For more, see our business presentation phrases. For more, see our business English guide.
Below, I’ll walk you through the 12 most useful phrasal verbs with “pull”. Each one is broken down with its core meaning (plus alternate meanings where they exist), followed by real examples you can hear in conversation. You’ll understand both physical actions (a car pulling away from traffic lights) and figurative ones (a sports team pulling back from a decision), and you’ll know exactly when to use each.
Key Takeaways
- Physical vs. metaphorical: “Pull away” can mean a car leaving or a person physically distancing themselves. Context tells you which one.
- Most are non-separable: You say “pull off a deal”, not “pull a deal off”. Very few pull-verbs let you split them.
- Multi-meaning phrasal verbs: “Pull down” has 3 meanings (demolish, depress, earn). “Pull in” has 3 meanings. Know them all to avoid confusion.
- Sports and business register: “Pull off”, “pull back”, “pull through” — these are especially common in competitive and formal contexts.
- Common trap: “Pull in” (attract a crowd) vs. “pull in” (arrive by vehicle). Same verb, different meaning — context is everything.
Phrasal Verbs with PULL Explained
Pull Away
Non-separable. Two meanings:
Meaning 1: Gain distance from someone or something; move faster to overtake or escape.
Example 1: She pulled away just as he was about to kiss her.
Example 2: The race car pulled away from the competitors on the final lap.
Meaning 2: (Of a vehicle) move away from a place or person, typically with a sound or gesture.
Example 3: There was a roar and a cloud of smoke as the car pulled away from the traffic lights.
Example 4: The bus pulled away from the curb and sped down the street.
Pull Back
Non-separable. Two meanings:
Meaning 1: Withdraw from a commitment, agreement, or course of action.
Example 1: The party pulled back from its only positive policy after the election.
Example 2: The investor pulled back from the real estate deal when he saw hidden costs.
Meaning 2: Improve or restore a team’s position by scoring a goal; recover in a competition.
Example 3: He pulled back a goal three minutes before half time, making it a one-goal game.
Example 4: The team pulled back from being down 10 points to tie the game in the final quarter.
Pull Down
Separable. Three meanings:
Meaning 1: Demolish or tear down a building or structure.
Example 1: They pulled down the old sports stadium to build a new one in its place.
Example 2: The historic building was pulled down to make room for a shopping mall.
Meaning 2: Depress or make someone sad or unhappy; reduce someone’s morale.
Example 3: John was really pulled down by his recent divorce.
Example 4: The bad news pulled down the entire team’s motivation.
Meaning 3: Earn an amount of money (colloquial or informal).
Example 5: How much do you pull down a month, he asked?
Example 6: She pulls down a six-figure salary in her corporate position.
Pull For
Non-separable. Support someone, especially a sports team in competition.
Example 1: Who are you pulling for in the cup finals?
Example 2: I’m pulling for the underdog team to upset the champions.
Example 3: Which candidate are you pulling for in the election?
Pull In
Non-separable. Three meanings:
Meaning 1: Arrive at a station or destination (a train, bus, or vehicle).
Example 1: The train pulled in right on time.
Example 2: Our flight pulled in to the gate thirty minutes early.
Meaning 2: Attract a crowd or audience; draw interest or attention.
Example 3: The comedy act really pulled in the crowds, didn’t they?
Example 4: The free concert pulled in thousands of people to the park.
Meaning 3: Earn money or profit (informal).
Example 5: I pulled in more revenue this year than last year.
Example 6: The new product line pulled in significant profits for the company.
Pull Off
Separable. Two meanings:
Meaning 1: Manage to do something difficult or achieve something unexpected.
Example 1: The Yankees pulled off a great upset in the finals.
Example 2: She pulled off a brilliant presentation despite being nervous.
Example 3: They pulled off the surprise party without him knowing.
Meaning 2: Remove something by pulling or tugging.
Example 4: Pull off the price stickers from the bottom of the toys before you wrap them.
Example 5: He pulled off the label and tossed it in the recycling bin.
Pull On
Separable. Two meanings:
Meaning 1: Put on clothes or a garment; dress.
Example 1: He pulled on his boots and went to work without eating breakfast.
Example 2: She pulled on a sweater when the room got cold.
Meaning 2: Pull something that is sticking out or protruding; tug.
Example 3: When he pulled on the loose thread, his whole shirt sleeve came off.
Example 4: The child pulled on her mother’s sleeve to get her attention.
Pull Out
Non-separable. Three meanings:
Meaning 1: Move away from a place or move into traffic (vehicle movement).
Example 1: When the boat pulled out to sea, he realized he would never return.
Example 2: The car pulled out into the fast lane and nearly got hit.
Meaning 2: Withdraw from participation, commitment, or a place.
Example 3: The contestant pulled out of the competition due to injury.
Example 4: The company pulled out of the market after poor sales.
Pull Over
Non-separable. Stop a vehicle by moving it to the side of the road.
Example 1: We pulled over to check our tires as something was making a funny sound on the car.
Example 2: The police officer signaled for us to pull over.
Example 3: She pulled over at a rest stop to stretch her legs.
Pull Through
Non-separable. Recover from illness or overcome a difficulty; survive or succeed.
Example 1: We didn’t know if he was going to pull through but in the end he did.
Example 2: The company is expected to pull through the financial crisis with new investors.
Example 3: After surgery, patients usually pull through within a few weeks.
Pull Together
Non-separable. Work together as a team; cooperate to achieve a goal.
Example 1: Let’s pull together and get this job done before the deadline.
Example 2: During the crisis, the community pulled together to help those affected.
Example 3: The team pulled together and won the championship.
Pull Up
Non-separable. Stop a vehicle by moving it to a certain position; draw up and stop.
Example 1: The car pulled up to the curb and stopped in front of the door.
Example 2: A taxi pulled up and the celebrity stepped out onto the red carpet.
Example 3: The bus pulled up at the station and opened its doors.
Separable vs. Non-Separable Guide
| Phrasal Verb | Separable? | Example (Separated) |
|---|---|---|
| Pull away | No | The car pulled away. (NOT: “pulled the moment away”) |
| Pull back | No | He pulled back from the deal. (NOT: “pulled the deal back”) |
| Pull down | Yes | They pulled down the building / They pulled the building down. |
| Pull for | No | She pulled for the home team. (NOT: “pulled the team for”) |
| Pull in | No | The train pulled in. (NOT: “pulled the station in”) |
| Pull off | Yes | He pulled off the sticker / He pulled the sticker off. |
| Pull on | Yes | She pulled on her boots / She pulled her boots on. |
| Pull out | No | The boat pulled out to sea. (NOT: “pulled the sea out”) |
| Pull over | No | We pulled over at a rest stop. (NOT: “pulled the rest stop over”) |
| Pull through | No | He pulled through the crisis. (NOT: “pulled the crisis through”) |
| Pull together | No | They pulled together. (NOT: “pulled the effort together”) |
| Pull up | No | The taxi pulled up. (NOT: “pulled the curb up”) |
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
✗ Incorrect: The developer pulled down the building with all the tenants inside.
✓ Correct: The developer demolished the building / pulled down the abandoned building after evicting all tenants.
Why: “Pull down” is correct, but the example is unethical. Better to separate the actions or use clearer language about the order of events.
✗ Incorrect: She pulled off a coat before leaving the house.
✓ Correct: She pulled on a coat before leaving the house.
Why: “Pull off” means to remove; “pull on” means to put on. The verbs are opposites for clothing.
✗ Incorrect: The competitor pulled out of the race by running faster.
✓ Correct: The competitor pulled away from the other runners and won the race.
Why: “Pull out” means to exit or withdraw from something entirely. “Pull away” means to move ahead or create distance.
Coach: Our team is down by five points. We need to pull together and focus on defense.
Player: Do you think we can pull off a comeback?
Coach: If we pull back from that aggressive strategy and play smarter, we have a chance.
Player: So what if we can’t make it? Will you pull us out of the tournament?
Coach: No. We’ll pull through this game and learn from it. That’s what champions do.
Quick Quiz
- The train ________ at the station right on schedule. (pulled in / pulled on)
- He ________ his jacket on before going outside. (pulled off / pulled on)
- The old warehouse was ________ to make room for a new office building. (pulled down / pulled up)
- Which team are you ________ in the championship? (pulling for / pulling off)
- After the car accident, we ________ to the side of the road to call for help. (pulled over / pulled out)
Answers: 1. pulled in · 2. pulled on · 3. pulled down · 4. pulling for · 5. pulled over
Real-World Usage: When and Where You’ll Hear These Verbs
- Sports commentary: “The team pulled off an upset!” / “She pulled away from her competitor in the final lap.”
- Traffic and driving: “Pull over at the next rest stop.” / “The car pulled up to the valet.”
- Business and finance: “The company pulled out of the market.” / “How much do you pull down annually?”
- Casual conversation: “Pull on your boots, we’re going hiking!” / “Who are you pulling for in the election?”
Related Articles
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between “pull back” and “pull out”?
“Pull back” means to withdraw from a specific commitment or to recover in a competition, but you stay involved. “Pull out” means to completely exit or abandon something. For example: “The investor pulled back on his contribution” (reduced, but still involved) vs. “The investor pulled out of the deal” (left entirely).
Is “pull down” always negative?
Not necessarily. “Pull down a building” is neutral — it’s just describing demolition. But “pull someone down” (emotionally) is negative. In finance, “pull down a salary” is neutral or positive. Context matters.
Can I use “pull for” in non-sports contexts?
Yes. While it’s most common in sports, “pull for” simply means to support someone. You can say “I’m pulling for you to get the job” or “I’m pulling for the underdog candidate in the election”. It works in any competitive situation.
What’s the difference between “pull over” and “pull up”?
“Pull over” specifically means to move to the side of the road while driving. “Pull up” means to stop a vehicle at a particular location (curb, entrance, etc.). “I pulled over to take a phone call” vs. “A taxi pulled up to the hotel entrance”.
Why are most “pull” phrasal verbs non-separable?
“Pull” is a strong action verb, and most of its particle combinations work naturally with the verb and particle together. Separable ones like “pull down”, “pull off”, and “pull on” tend to describe actions where an object physically separates from the verb.
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