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haul off

B2 informal separable both
In simple words

To grab someone and remove them by force, or to pull your arm back and hit someone hard.

Literal meaning: To pull and drag something off or away from a place.

Meanings

1 B1 informal

To forcefully remove someone from a place, often to somewhere they do not want to go.

"The protesters were hauled off to the police station after refusing to leave."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To draw one's fist or arm back before delivering a powerful blow.

"He hauled off and punched the wall in frustration."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Has two distinct meanings. The sense of removing forcefully (often used in passive: 'was hauled off to jail') is common in American informal English. The sense of drawing back to deliver a blow is also American informal and typically followed by 'and hit/punch'. Both senses imply force and drama.

Commonly used with

jail police prison punch hit strike

Forms

Base
haul off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hauls off
he/she/it
Past simple
hauled off
yesterday
Past participle
hauled off
have + pp
-ing form
hauling off
continuous

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