1 B1 neutral
To raise something heavy by pulling it upward with significant effort.
"The sailors hauled up the anchor before the tide changed."
separable
haul up
B2 informal separable transitive
To raise something with effort; or to bring someone before an authority to answer for wrongdoing.
In plain English
To pull something heavy upward, or to make someone come and explain themselves to a person in charge.
What does "haul up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To bring someone before a person of authority to answer for a wrongdoing.
"She was hauled up before the disciplinary committee for repeatedly breaking company policy."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To drag or pull something upward from below.
Actually means
To pull something heavy upward, or to make someone come and explain themselves to a person in charge.
Usage tip
Two main senses: the physical sense (pulling something upward with force) and the disciplinary sense (being called before a superior or court). The disciplinary sense is common in British and Australian English. Often used in passive: 'was hauled up before the board'.
Words that pair with "haul up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
anchor court manager board magistrate rope
How to conjugate "haul up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
haul up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hauls up
he/she/it
Past simple
hauled up
yesterday
Past participle
hauled up
have + pp
-ing form
hauling up
continuous
Hear "haul up" in the wild
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