Pull Meaning

UK /pʊl/
US /pʊl/
Word Definition
pull meaning

Pull Definition & Usage

verb

To exert force on something to move it towards oneself or in a specified direction.

Examples

  • "She pulled the heavy door open."
  • "He pulled the rope with all his strength."
  • "Can you pull the chair closer to the table?"
  • "The dog pulled on the leash excitedly."
  • "He pulled the suitcase up the stairs."
verb

To attract or cause someone to move in a certain direction, often metaphorically.

Examples

  • "His charisma pulled people towards him."
  • "The movie's intriguing plot really pulls you in."
  • "Her speech pulled at my heartstrings."
  • "The catchy song pulled the crowd into the party mood."
  • "The mysterious figure pulled him into the dark alley."
verb

To remove or extract something from a place or position.

Examples

  • "She pulled out a pencil from her bag."
  • "The doctor had to pull out the splinter from his finger."
  • "I pulled the file out of the cabinet."
  • "They pulled the plug out of the socket."
  • "He pulled his hand from the cold water."
verb

To withdraw or reduce one's involvement or contribution in a situation.

Examples

  • "The company pulled out of the deal after negotiations fell through."
  • "They pulled their support for the project."
  • "He pulled his investment from the startup when the market crashed."
  • "The team pulled out of the competition after the injury."
  • "She decided to pull out of the group project."
noun

The act of pulling something or someone towards oneself.

Examples

  • "She gave the rope a sharp pull and the boat moved closer."
  • "He gave the door a pull to see if it was locked."
  • "The pull of the ocean current was too strong for him to swim against."
  • "He made a pull on the rope to signal for help."
  • "The dog’s pull on the leash slowed him down."

Cultural Context

The verb 'pull' originates from Old English 'pullian,' meaning 'to drag' or 'tow.' It has maintained its literal meaning over centuries but has expanded to include more figurative uses. In modern English, 'pull' is used in a variety of contexts, both physical and metaphorical, demonstrating its versatility in everyday speech.

The Pull of the City

Story

The Pull of the City

In the heart of the city, Ethan sat at his desk, the steady hum of the office around him. It had been a long week, but there was something about the rhythm of it all that pulled him in. As the clock ticked closer to five, he packed his things, feeling the familiar pull of his favorite pub calling him. It wasn’t just the cold pint that awaited him, but the feeling of belonging, of being pulled into a community of old friends. Outside, the city’s pulse never stopped. People pulled at each other in different ways—some pulled together for work, while others pulled apart for their own reasons. As he stepped onto the crowded sidewalk, Ethan noticed a young woman struggling to pull a heavy suitcase up the stairs of the subway. He instinctively moved to help her, offering a quick tug to lighten the load. Later that evening, as the crowd at the pub swelled, Ethan found himself pulled into a conversation about the new project he had been assigned. His boss had pulled him into the initiative because of his expertise, but now, standing amidst the noise and laughter, Ethan couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed. He was pulled in two directions—his loyalty to the company and his desire for peace and quiet. As the night wore on, a mysterious figure in the corner of the pub caught his attention. A sharp-eyed woman who seemed to pull the gaze of everyone around her. Her presence was magnetic, drawing people in with every word she spoke. Ethan found himself pulled into the conversation, intrigued by her insights about the future of technology and the forces that shaped the modern world. Her words seemed to carry a kind of gravity, pulling him deeper into her perspective. By the end of the night, Ethan realized that the pull of the city was stronger than ever, but he had also discovered something new about himself—the delicate balance between the forces that pulled him in different directions.

The Pull of the City