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pull over

A2 neutral separable both
In simple words

To move your car to the side of the road and stop.

Literal meaning: Transparent — to pull the vehicle over to one side.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To move a vehicle to the side of a road and stop.

"I pulled over to answer my phone because it is illegal to use it while driving."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic neutral

Of a police officer: to signal or order a driver to stop at the roadside.

"The officer pulled her over for running a red light."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Very common in everyday driving contexts. When police 'pull someone over', it is a law enforcement action. Also used reflexively: 'I pulled over to check my phone'. Universal in both British and American English.

Commonly used with

police officer speeding car driver kerb shoulder

Forms

Base
pull over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pulls over
he/she/it
Past simple
pulled over
yesterday
Past participle
pulled over
have + pp
-ing form
pulling over
continuous

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