A-Z Database
This expression is usually in the form of the imperative, 'pull your socks up', originally an admonishment to smarten up, probably directed at school...
To pull one’s punches means to use less force or to be lenient, and this figurative usage dates from the 1930s. The expression derives, of course, fro...
Regain control of one’s composure and emotions, otherwise risk falling apart, dates from the second half of the 19th century.
To pull oneself up by the bootstraps is an American metaphor for making a superhuman effort on one’s own, without any help from others, in attempting...
This figurative expression means to exert or apply maximum effort and derives from organ-playing, when an organist has to display maximum dexterity by...
US slang meaning to warn or alert someone, from the allusion to tugging on their clothing, dates from the 1950s.
see Leg pulling
This metaphor derives from the strings or wires that manipulate puppets. Hence, to pull strings means to use one’s influence to manipulate a situation...
Remove all support, cause someone to fail or fall, dates from c.1946 and is of American origin.
see Leg pulling
To pull the pin on something is to abort or end a relationship or project etc, and this figurative use dates from the late 1920s. The pin is not thoug...
To withdraw support and thereby terminate something dates from the early 20th century. Originally, this expression was in reference to 18th century fl...
To pull the ring out of something is to overdo something or use excessive, unnecessary behaviour or language. For example, in response to excessive cr...
To trick or deceive someone, the first known citation is American from c.1839 but the origin is obscure. One theory is that it derives from the habit...
Pulling teeth is a metaphor that describes a very difficult and arduous task, especially trying to extract information. It is an Americanism that date...