pull aside

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   to take someone away from a group to speak to them privately

   Grammar: Takes an object: pull someone aside. The object can go between the verb and 'aside' or after it.

   Patterns

   • pull someone aside
   • pull aside someone

   The manager pulled me aside after the meeting to ask about the schedule.

   She pulled him aside and whispered that the client was unhappy.

   Before the presentation, he pulled aside the new intern to explain the rules.

2. 2verbtransitive

   to move something to one side, especially to make space or to see better

   Grammar: Takes an object: pull something aside. Often used for curtains, branches, or furniture.

   Patterns

   • pull something aside
   • pull aside something

   He pulled the curtain aside to let in more light.

   She pulled the branches aside and stepped into the garden.

   Can you pull the table aside so we can get through?

Common combinations

pull someone aside for a word

The boss pulled her aside for a word about the report.

pull someone aside quietly

He pulled me aside quietly so no one else would hear.

pull the curtain aside

She pulled the curtain aside to watch the street.

pull someone aside after the meeting

They pulled him aside after the meeting to offer him the job.

Synonyms and how they differ

take aside

Very similar, but 'take aside' often suggests leading someone away physically, while 'pull aside' can be more sudden or informal.

draw aside

More literary and usually used for moving curtains or people gently; less common in everyday speech.

Commonly confused: pull aside or pull over?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “pull aside”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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