pull away
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle away
Meanings
Leave by driving away from a stop
Why “away”? A person, object, look, or choice becomes more distant from its starting point.
“The bus pulled away just as we arrived.”
“The coach pulled away while I was buying a ticket.”
Don't confuse with
Pull away means leave by driving away from a stop. Pull back means withdraw from an action or commitment.
Test yourself
“The bus pulled away just as we arrived.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
pull back
A contrast learners often mix up
Withdraw from an action or commitment; Move troops away from a position
back away
Same away pattern: leaving
Move away or distance yourself, often from fear or caution
break away
Same away pattern: leaving
Escape from someone holding you; Leave a group to form a separate one; Pull ahead of others in a race
call away
Same away pattern: leaving
Be required to leave because of an urgent matter
chase away
Same away pattern: leaving
Force someone or something to leave by chasing
come away
Same away pattern: leaving
Leave a place with a particular feeling or impression
drag away
Same away pattern: leaving
Force someone to leave a place reluctantly
draw away
Same away pattern: leaving
Move ahead of competitors by extending the lead
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