pull back

pull back
phrasal verb
Word forms "pull back":
present tense I/you/we/they pull back he/she/it pulls back present participle pulling back past tense pulled back past participle pulled back
1) [intransitive/transitive] if soldiers pull back, or if someone pulls them back, they move back towards their own land

Our tank and infantry forces pulled back to regroup.

2) [intransitive] to decide not to do something that will probably have bad effects
pull back from:

The government has pulled back from sending the navy there.

3) [intransitive] to move your body away from someone who is holding you or touching you

Jim pulled back from her with a hurt expression.

4) [transitive] British mainly journalism to score a goal when your team is losing in a football match

Owen pulled a goal back for England after 40 minutes.


English dictionary. 2014.

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