1 A2 neutral
To remove something or someone from a place by pulling.
"She reached into her bag and pulled out her passport."
separable
pull out
B1 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To remove something or someone from a place, or to withdraw from an activity, agreement, or location.
In plain English
To take something out of a place, or to stop being part of something.
What does "pull out" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
To withdraw from an agreement, competition, or commitment.
"The company pulled out of the deal at the last minute, leaving investors furious."
“
The United States is pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement.
— Donald Trump, White House announcement, June 2017
inseparable
3 B1 neutral
Of a vehicle: to move out into a road or lane of traffic.
"The van pulled out without signalling and nearly caused an accident."
inseparable
4 B2 idiomatic neutral
To withdraw troops or forces from a territory or conflict.
"The government announced it would pull out its remaining forces by the end of the year."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To physically pull something out of a space — extended naturally to withdrawal from any situation.
Actually means
To take something out of a place, or to stop being part of something.
Usage tip
Widely used in military, political, and business contexts for withdrawal. Also very common in everyday physical senses. Vehicle sense (pulling out into traffic) is extremely common.
Words that pair with "pull out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
troops investment deal race drawer traffic project
How to conjugate "pull out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pull out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pulls out
he/she/it
Past simple
pulled out
yesterday
Past participle
pulled out
have + pp
-ing form
pulling out
continuous
Hear "pull out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "pull out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.