Collocations for "pulling"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "pulling" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
pull
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.v
- pull (on) the [handle, knob]
- (child) was pulling [on, at] her skirt
- pull the [cord, string, lever]
- pull the trigger
- pull a [report, request]
- pulled their funding (for)
- pulled from the [competition, game, match]
- pull a [muscle, tendon, ligament]
- pulled a [knife, blade] on me
- pulled a prank on [her, their teacher]
- (trying to) pull the wool over my eyes
- slang: you're pulling my leg!
- slang, UK: pull the other one!
- slang: is trying to pull a fast one (on you)
- slang, UK: pull a sickie
- pulls no punches
- pull her [close, tight]
- pull into the [driveway, garage]
- pull back in [surprise, fright]
- pull back your [hand, face]
- pull your [hand] back
- pull your hair out
- pull through [in the end, for her]
- pull your pants [up, down]
- pull [up] your pants
- pull the [curtains, blinds] [shut, open]
- pull shut the [curtains]
- pull up to the [house, store, school]
- pull up the [hill, slope, ramp]
- pull away from the [house]
- pull off a [robbery, prank]
- [couldn't, managed to] pull it off
- pull her into the [game, conversation]
- pull out [an arrow, a bullet]
- pull over on the [side of the road, highway]
- pull over for a [flat tire, cop]
- a [quick, brief, short, long, strong, heavy, sharp, hard] pull
- took [two] pulls
- gave her hair a (quick) pull
- give the [rope, cord, line] a pull
- he took a (deep) pull on his [cigar, cigarette, pipe]
- has a lot of pull in [congress, parliament, the city hall]
- the [actress, band, entertainer] has a lot of pull
- the team's pull within the [game, federation]
- the pull of the [stage, races, camera]
- a gravitational pull
- exerts a pull on the [Earth, oceans]
- exerts [a, an irresistible] pull on
- [has, holds] an irresistible pull for
- a [handle, door, wardrobe, bell, curtain] pull
- a [thigh, muscle, hamstring] pull
'pulling' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):