haul off

British  

verb

1. informal (foll by and) to draw back in preparation (esp to strike or fight)

   I hauled off and slugged him

2. nautical to alter the course of a vessel so as to avoid an obstruction, shallow waters, etc

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haul off Idioms  

1. Draw back slightly, in preparation for some action. For example, He hauled off and smacked his brother in the face . [c. 1800]

2. Also, haul out . Shift operations to a new place, move away. For example, The group gradually hauled off to the West Coast , or The train hauled out just as I arrived . [Second half of 1800s]

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Example Sentences

Alexander Isak was hauled off in the second half of his fourth league start for Liverpool following a British record move from Newcastle that has failed to live up to the hype.

From Barron's

The forward was left out of the starting line-up in the recent Champions League defeat at Galatasaray and, starkly, was hauled off on Sunday even as Liverpool chased an equaliser.

From Barron's

They were arrested there, and hauled off to a hotel in Abidjan, Ivory Coast's main city, effectively ending the five-month conflict.

From BBC

The latter was hauled off at half-time against the Finns, while Weir and Cuthbert were reduced to long-range drives to unleash their obvious frustration.

From BBC

The three had been heading to the Zimbabwean resort town of Victoria Falls to attend a conference when they were hauled off the domestic flight.

From BBC