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."
separable
haul off
B2 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To forcefully remove someone or something; or to suddenly draw back and strike.
In plain English
To grab someone and remove them by force, or to pull your arm back and hit someone hard.
What does "haul off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To pull and drag something off or away from a place.
Actually means
To grab someone and remove them by force, or to pull your arm back and hit someone hard.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "haul off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
jail police prison punch hit strike
How to conjugate "haul off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "haul off" in the wild
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