To support or hope for someone's success, especially when the outcome is uncertain.
To really want someone to win or do well.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To hope that someone succeeds or wins, especially emotionally rather than through direct action.
"Everyone in the office was pulling for Maria to get the promotion."
I'm pulling for you — we're all pulling for you.
— Stuart Smalley (Al Franken), Saturday Night Live recurring sketch, 1990s
To support a particular outcome or side in a contest or competition.
"Which team are you pulling for in the final?"
To physically pull toward something — idiomatically extended to pulling someone toward success with your support.
To really want someone to win or do well.
Common in American English. Often used in sports contexts but also in general situations of hope or support. Rarely used in formal writing.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "pull for" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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