pull in

To drive into a place or to the side of a road and stop.

• Pull in here, please.
• A van pulled in beside our house.
• We pulled in at a small café for lunch.

How to use it: pull in at somewhere (We pulled in at a petrol station.); pull in to + verb (The driver pulled in to let the ambulance pass.)

Similar words: pull over, drive in, park

Opposites: pull out

Common phrases: pull in here, pull in somewhere

If a train or bus arrives at a station, it comes in and stops there.

• The train is pulling in.
• Our bus pulled in ten minutes late.
• Passengers gathered on the platform as the express pulled in.

How to use it: pull in at a station (The train pulled in at the main station.)

Similar words: arrive, come in

Opposites: depart

Common phrases: pull in late, pull in slowly

To bring someone or something inside by holding it and using force.

• Pull the rope in slowly.
• They pulled him in through the window.
• The fishermen pulled in their nets before the storm.

How to use it: pull someone/something in (The crew pulled the swimmer in over the side of the boat.)

Similar words: draw in, haul in

Common phrases: pull someone in, pull something in, pull nets in

To take someone to a police station because they may have committed a crime.

• The police pulled him in yesterday.
• She was pulled in for questioning about the robbery.
• Officers pulled in three suspects after searching the house.

How to use it: pull someone in for something (The police pulled him in for questioning.)

Similar words: bring in, arrest

Opposites: release

Common phrases: pull someone in, pull suspects in

To earn a particular amount of money.

• She pulls in a good salary.
• Their business pulled in a million dollars last year.
• How much money does he pull in each month?

How to use it: pull in + amount of money (The shop pulls in five thousand euros a week.)

Similar words: earn, make, bring in

Common phrases: pull in money, pull in millions

To pull a rope so that a sail becomes tighter.

• Pull in the sheet a little.
• She pulled in the sail as the wind changed.
• Can you pull in that rope before we turn?

Similar words: sheet in

Common phrases: pull in something, pull in the sheet