pull out

You leave a place, activity, or agreement, or remove people such as soldiers from it.

• The troops pulled out yesterday.
• She pulled out of the race after hurting her knee.
• The government plans to pull its forces out of the country.

How to use it: pull out of something (The company pulled out of the deal.); pull someone/something out of something (They pulled their troops out of the region.)

Similar words: withdraw, retreat

Common phrases: pull out of something, pull out troops

You take something out of a bag, pocket, or other container.

• She pulled out her phone.
• He pulled a clean shirt out of the suitcase.
• I pulled out my wallet to pay.

How to use it: pull something out of something (He pulled a notebook out of his bag.)

Similar words: take out, bring out

Opposites: put in

Common phrases: pull out a phone, pull out a wallet

You remove something from a place by holding it and drawing it towards you.

• Pull out the loose nail.
• The dentist pulled out my tooth.
• He pulled the weeds out of the soil.

How to use it: pull something out of something (She pulled the splinter out of her finger.)

Similar words: extract, remove

Opposites: insert

Common phrases: pull out something, pull out a nail

You drive from the side of a road into the traffic.

• Check your mirror before you pull out.
• A car pulled out in front of us.
• She waited for a gap before pulling out into traffic.

How to use it: pull out of somewhere (A van pulled out of a parking space.); pull out into something (He pulled out into the busy road.)

Common phrases: pull out into traffic, pull out safely

A man removes his penis from his partner before releasing sperm, to try to prevent pregnancy.

• He pulled out before he ejaculated.
• They relied on pulling out instead of using condoms.
• She asked him to pull out during sex.

Similar words: withdraw

Common phrases: pull out before ejaculation, pull out during sex

You manage to win or succeed when success seemed unlikely.

• The team pulled out a win.
• They pulled out a victory in the final seconds.
• Can we pull out another unlikely win tonight?

Similar words: scrape through, eke out

Common phrases: pull out a victory, pull out a win