Phrase guide

pull in

verb · 10 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To pull something, so that it comes inside.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: literally, transitive

Examples

  • After falling out of the boat, the crew pulled him in.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To approach or drive up to a place and come to a stop; to park by driving frontways into a parking spot.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

  • A car just pulled in our driveway.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To approach a station; to arrive at a station.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

  • Quick! The train's pulling in.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To arrest someone; to take someone to a police station because they may have done something.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • She was pulled in for questioning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To earn [money].

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • He pulls in a lot of money.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

To tighten a sail by pulling on a rope.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Topics: nautical, transport

Examples

  • pull in the main sheet

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

get or bring together

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • accumulate evidence

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: collect

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: roll up, collect, accumulate, pile up, amass, compile, hoard

Narrower terms: archive, file away, beat up, drum up, rally

8

verb

Meaning 8

direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Her good looks attract the stares of many men
  • The ad pulled in many potential customers
  • This pianist pulls huge crowds
  • The store owner was happy that the ad drew in many new customers

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: attract, pull, draw, draw in

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: pull, draw, force

Narrower terms: tug, catch, arrest, get, draw in, retract, bring

9

verb

Meaning 9

of trains; move into (a station)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The bullet train drew into Tokyo Station

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: get in, move in, draw in

Antonyms: pull out

Broader terms: arrive, get, come

10

verb

Meaning 10

earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • How much do you make a month in your new job?
  • She earns a lot in her new job
  • this merger brought in lots of money
  • He clears $5,000 each month

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: gain, take in, clear, make, earn, realize, realise, bring in

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: get, acquire

Narrower terms: eke out, squeeze out, profit, turn a profit, rake off, take home, bring home, rake in, shovel in, gross, yield, pay, bear

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

16 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Indonesian: menarik — to pull something inside
  • Italian: tirare dentro — to pull something inside
  • Portuguese: puxar para dentro — to pull something inside
  • Bulgarian: влизам (vlizam) — to approach a station
  • Indonesian: mendekati — to approach a station
  • Portuguese: encostar — to approach a station
  • Portuguese: chegar — to approach a station
  • Indonesian: menangkap — to arrest
  • Bulgarian: заработвам (zarabotvam) — to earn [money]
  • Indonesian: mendapatkan — to earn [money]
  • Indonesian: memperoleh — to earn [money]
  • Indonesian: menghasilkan — to earn [money]
  • Bulgarian: свивам (svivam) — to tighten a sail by pulling on a rope
  • Bulgarian: зарифявам (zarifjavam) — to tighten a sail by pulling on a rope
  • Indonesian: mengencangkan — to tighten a sail by pulling on a rope
  • Indonesian: memperkencang — to tighten a sail by pulling on a rope