What is pull? Pronunciation and usage in English

pull means . Learn how to pronounce and use pull through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of pull

pullverb

/pʊl/
Definition & pronunciation of pull

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "pull" in English. There are actually two common pronunciations, and it depends on where you are and how people typically say it.

1. The most common pronunciation (American English):

  • Sounds like: "pool"
  • Breakdown:
    • P: Pronounced like the "p" in "pot."
    • U: Pronounced like the "oo" in "moon" or "boot."
    • L: Pronounced like the "l" in "light."
  • So, it's "Puh-l" (with a short "uh" sound for the first syllable)

2. The pronunciation used in British English:

  • Sounds like: "pull" (rhymes with "bull")
  • Breakdown: Pronounced more like the "pull" you'd pull a rope.
    • P: Pronounced like the "p" in "pen."
    • U: Pronounced like the "u" in "put" or "cup."
    • L: Pronounced as a clear "l" as in "light".
  • So, it's "Puhl" (with a short "uh" sound for the first syllable)

Here's a quick way to tell the difference:

  • If you’re in the US, it's almost certainly "pool."
  • If you’re in the UK or Ireland, it's likely "pull."

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

  • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce pull" and you'll see audio examples from both American and British sources.
  • YouTube: Search for "pull pronunciation American" or "pull pronunciation British."

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you located (approximately)? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word pull in English

Let's break down how to use the word "pull" in English! It's a surprisingly versatile word with many different meanings. Here's a categorized breakdown with examples:

1. Physical Pulling (Most Common)

  • Definition: To exert force on something to move it towards you.
  • Examples:
    • "I pulled the door open." (Moved it with effort)
    • "He pulled a muscle lifting the box." (Experienced strain)
    • "She pulled a chair closer to the fireplace." (Moved it physically)
    • "Please pull on this rope to start the winch." (Use a rope to move something)

2. Pulling Away (Movement)

  • Definition: To move or draw something away from something else.
  • Examples:
    • "The curtain pulled back to reveal the stage." (Moved the curtain)
    • "The tide pulled away from the shore." (The water moved back)
    • "He pulled the car out of the driveway." (Moved the car)

3. Figurative “Pull” – Influence & Attraction

This is where “pull” gets much more interesting and varied.

  • a) To attract or entice:

    • “She has a real pull on young people.” (She is attractive and appealing)
    • “The advertisement had a strong pull on me to buy the product.” (It made me want to buy it)
    • “The city’s nightlife has a powerful pull.” (It attracts people to it)

  • b) To draw someone in or towards something:

    • “He pulled me into the conversation.” (Drew me into talking)
    • "The campaign was designed to pull reluctant voters to the polls." (To persuade them to vote)
    • "The new cafe has a great pull for tourists." (Attracts tourists to the cafe)

  • c) To draw someone’s attention:

    • "Music pulled me away from my work." (The music distracted me)
    • “The story pulled me in from the first page.” (Captured my attention)

4. Pulling Together (Collaboration & Effort)

  • Definition: To work together or unite.
  • Examples:
    • “We need to pull together as a team to finish this project.” (Work collaboratively)
    • “The community pulled together to rebuild after the disaster.” (United to help)

5. Pulling Something Out/Off

  • Definition: To extract something.
  • Examples:
    • “He pulled a tooth.” (Extracted a tooth)
    • “She pulled a weed from the garden.” (Removed the weed)
    • “He pulled his hand away from the hot stove.” (Removed his hand)

6. "Pull" as a Verb Phrase (Common Expressions):

  • Pull through: To survive a serious illness or difficulty. “He didn't think he would pull through, but he recovered.”
  • Pull off: To succeed in doing something difficult. "They managed to pull off a perfect wedding."
  • Pull someone's leg: To joke or tease someone. “Don’t pull my leg! Are you serious?"
  • Pull strings: To use influence or connections to get something you want. "He pulled strings to get us tickets to the concert."

7. “Pull” as a Noun

  • Definition: A force exerted; a tug.
    • "He felt a sharp pull in his stomach." (A sensation of being drawn)
    • "The rope had a strong pull." (The force of the rope)

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you trying to use "pull" in? (e.g., writing a story, having a conversation, an essay, etc.)
  • Is there a specific example you're struggling with?

Synonyms for the word pull

Idioms of the word pull

do/pull/serve double duty (as something)
to perform two roles or functions at the same time
  • This device can pull double duty as a decent laptop and an adequate tablet.
  • She deserves credit for serving double duty as a host and performer.
draw/pull your horns in
to start being more careful in your behaviour, especially by spending less money than before
  • Small businesses have had to pull their horns in during the recession.
like pulling teeth
(informal)used to say that it is very difficult to make somebody do something
  • It's like pulling teeth trying to get him to talk.
pick/pull/tear somebody/something to pieces/shreds
(informal)to criticize somebody, or their work or ideas, very severely
    pull/drag yourself up by your (own) bootstraps
    (informal)to improve your situation yourself, without help from other people
      pull/make faces/a face (at somebody)
      to produce an expression on your face to show that you do not like somebody/something or in order to make somebody laugh
      • What are you pulling a face at now?
      • Do you think it’s funny to make faces behind my back?
      pull a fast one (on somebody)
      (slang)to trick somebody
        pull in different/opposite directions
        to have different aims that cannot be achieved together without causing problems
        • There are different considerations, often pulling in different directions.
        pull it/something out of the bag
        (informal)to succeed in doing something difficult by making an extra effort or doing something clever or surprising
        • We managed to pull it out of the bag despite not being at our best for most of the game.
        pull somebody’s leg
        (informal)to play a joke on somebody, usually by making them believe something that is not true
          pull the other one (—it’s got bells on)
          (British English, informal)used to show that you do not believe what somebody has just said
            pull out all the stops
            (informal)to make the greatest effort possible to achieve something
              pull the plug on somebody/something
              (informal)to put an end to somebody’s project, a plan, etc.
              • The television company pulled the plug on the series after only five episodes.
              • They decided to pull the plug on the project.
              pull your punches
              (informal)to express something less strongly than you are able to, for example to avoid upsetting or shocking somebody
              • Her articles certainly don't pull any punches.
              pull something/a rabbit out of the hat
              (informal)to suddenly produce something as a solution to a problem
                pull rank (on somebody)
                to make use of your place or status in society or at work to make somebody do what you want
                  pull the rug (out) from under somebody’s feet
                  (informal)to take help or support away from somebody suddenly
                    pull your socks up
                    (British English, informal)to try to improve your performance, work, behaviour, etc.
                    • You're going to have to pull your socks up.
                    pull strings (for somebody)
                    (informal)to use your influence in order to get an advantage for somebody
                      pull the strings
                      to control events or the actions of other people
                        pull up stakes
                        to suddenly move from your house and go to live somewhere else
                        • He pulled up stakes and went back to France.
                        pull your weight
                        to work as hard as everyone else in a job, an activity, etc.
                          pull the wool over somebody’s eyes
                          (informal)to hide your real actions or intentions from somebody by making them believe something that is not true

                            Practice with vocabulary pull

                            Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

                            1. To access the emergency stop, you need to ______ the red lever firmly downwards.
                            2. The management decided to ______ the quarterly review until all financial reports were finalized.
                            3. Despite the heavy rain, the delivery truck managed to ______ its cargo through the flooded street.
                            4. The team had to ______ an all-nighter to finish the proposal before the morning deadline.

                            Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

                            1. To meet the tight deadline, the project team had to ______ an all-nighter. A. make B. push C. pull D. work

                            2. After the intense workout, the athlete felt a sharp pain, realizing she had ______ a hamstring. A. sprained B. torn C. pulled D. strained

                            3. The manager decided to ______ the project review until the following week due to unforeseen circumstances. A. postpone B. defer C. delay D. extend

                            4. The company managed to ______ through the financial crisis thanks to swift management decisions. A. get B. move C. pull D. survive

                            5. Before finalizing the contract, it's crucial to ______ all the loose ends. A. connect B. fasten C. tie up D. gather

                            Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

                            1. Original: The company successfully navigated the difficult economic period. Rewrite using "pull" or a related word form:

                            2. Original: She had to use her connections to get a ticket for the sold-out conference. Rewrite using "pull" or a related word form:

                            3. Original: We need to carefully move the heavy machinery into its designated position. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (do not use "pull"):

                            Answer:

                            Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

                            1. pull
                            2. postpone
                            3. drag
                            4. pull

                            Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

                            1. C. pull
                            2. C. pulled, D. strained
                            3. A. postpone, B. defer, C. delay
                            4. A. get, C. pull, D. survive
                            5. C. tie up

                            Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

                            1. The company managed to pull through the difficult economic period.
                            2. She had to pull some strings to get a ticket for the sold-out conference.
                            3. We need to maneuver the heavy machinery carefully into its designated position.

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