pull
1. noun A long sip or swig, especially one of alcohol from a bottle or flask. The old man took a long pull of whiskey, then flashed a toothless grin and began laughing again.
2. noun An inhalation or mouthful of smoke. I know I quit smoking, but let me just get a quick pull off your cigarette.
3. verb To take a long sip or swig, especially one of alcohol from a bottle or flask. He pulled long and hard from the bottle of hooch.
4. verb To inhale or take in a mouthful of smoke. I know I quit smoking, but let me just pull off your cigarette real quick.
5. verb To act as if one is punching someone, without making physical contact. (Short for "pull one's punches.") How dare you—I have never pulled during a fight in my entire career!
pull (one's) punches
1. To act as if one is punching someone, without making any or much physical contact. How dare you—I have never pulled my punches during a fight in my entire career! I know you're trying to make the scene realistic, but please pull your punches next time!
2. By extension, to restrain one's commentary or criticism to avoid offending or upsetting someone. (Usually used in the negative.) I want your honest opinion of my story—don't pull your punches! Wow, your aunt really doesn't pull her punches. Is my sweatshirt really that ugly?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
pull
1. n. a drink; a swig; a drink from a flask. He took another pull and kept on talking.
2. tv. to take a drink or a mouthful of liquor from a bottle or other container. He pulled a slug from the bottle.
3. n. a mouthful of smoke from a cigarette; a drag on a cigarette. A couple of pulls and she crushed out the cigarette.
4. tv. to smoke a cigarette. He pulled a long filter job and then went back to work.
5. in. to pull one’s punches. (Martial arts.) If you pull during a fight, you’re through as a fighter.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
pull
/yank (someone's) chain To take unfair advantage of someone; deceive or manipulate someone.
pull
strings/wires Informal To exert secret control or influence in order to gain an end.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.