pull outverb

• 1

  Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see pull, out.

  • I need to pull the splinter out of my hand.
• 2

  To withdraw; especially of military forces; to retreat.

  • The troops pulled out of the conflict.
  • The mayor pulled out of the race for Senate after numerous opinion polls had him polling at less than 10 percent.
• 3

  aeronauticsaerospaceaviationTo transition from a dive to level or climbing flight.

  • After releasing its bomb, the plane pulled out of its dive.
• 4

  To use coitus interruptus as a method of birth control.

  • Shortly before you ejaculate, you can pull out and use your hand (or hers) to push yourself over the edge. Some of my patients claim this is a more natural method of birth control[…]
  • She'd long since caught the knack of moving with him, and closed her arms and legs around him. “You'll fly with me, Tiberius? Take the last fence with me?” He'd meant to pull out. Coitus interruptus was a term even the scholars failing their Latin knew before they left public school.
• 5

  To remove something from a container.

  • He pulled his gun out before she had a chance to scream.
• 6

  To maneuver a vehicle from the side of a road onto the lane.

  • When joining a road, you should check for traffic before pulling out.
• 7

  To draw out or lengthen.

• 8

  To draw out by dragging or tugging.

  • The robbers ransacked the place, pulling out drawers and opening closets.
  • Wearing a green beret and a long, dark coat, the Santa Ana man pulled out a sword with a 3-foot blade and calmly attacked in silence, almost beheading one of his victims.