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Meaning & use

pull back

verb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌpʊl ˈbæk/
US/ˌpʊl ˈbæk/

Meanings

  1. verbphrasal verb

    To draw something toward you or away from its earlier position, usually with your hand or with force.

    Grammar: Takes an object: pull the curtain back; the object can sit between the verb and back.

    Patterns

    • pull something back
    • pull back the covers

    She pulled back the curtain and let the morning light in.

    He pulled his hand back just before the door slammed.

    Pull the bowstring back slowly and keep your elbow high.

  2. verbphrasal verbmilitary

    To move away from a place or a front line, or to make forces or people do so.

    Grammar: Can have no object (the army pulled back) or an object (they pulled back the troops).

    Patterns

    • pull back from something
    • pull something back

    The troops pulled back from the border after the agreement.

    The police asked the crowd to pull back from the barrier.

    Commanders decided to pull back their forces before nightfall.

  3. verbphrasal verb

    To decide not to continue with a plan or promise, or to reduce your involvement or spending.

    Grammar: Usually has no object and is followed by from: pull back from a deal.

    Patterns

    • pull back from something

    The company pulled back from the merger at the last minute.

    After the scandal, several sponsors pulled back from the event.

    Households are pulling back on spending as prices rise.

Word forms

third person singularpulls back
past tensepulled back
past participlepulled back
-ing formpulling back

Common combinations

pull back the curtain
He pulled back the curtain to check the weather.
pull back troops
The government promised to pull back its troops by June.
pull back from the brink
Both sides pulled back from the brink of war.
pull back on spending
The council had to pull back on spending this year.
pull back your hair
She pulled back her hair into a quick ponytail.

Synonyms and how they differ

withdraw
Withdraw is more formal and suggests an official or planned retreat, while pull back is more casual and can describe a small physical movement.
retreat
Retreat implies backing away from danger or defeat, whereas pull back can be a calm, tactical choice.
retract
Retract is used for taking back a statement or drawing in a part such as claws, while pull back is broader and less technical.
cut back
Cut back focuses on reducing an amount, such as costs, while pull back can also mean stepping away entirely.

Opposites

advancepush forward

Word family

pullback noun
a retreat, or a small fall in a price after a rise
pull verb
to draw something toward you
pull out phrasal verb
to withdraw from an activity or place

Commonly confused: pull back or pull away?

pull back vs pull away

Pull away usually means to move off, as a car does from the curb, or to move ahead of others in a race. Pull back means to retreat or draw something toward you.

Practice

After heavy criticism, the airline decided to ___ its plan to cut routes.

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