pull-up

Or pull·up

[pool-uhp]

noun

1. an exercise consisting of chinning oneself, as on a horizontal bar attached at each end to a doorpost.

2. a flight maneuver in which an aircraft climbs sharply from level flight.

pull up

verb

1. (tr) to remove by the roots

2. to move level (with) or ahead (of) or cause to move level (with) or ahead (of), esp in a race

3. to stop

4. (tr) to rebuke

noun

1. an exercise in which the body is raised up by the arms pulling on a horizontal bar fixed above the head

2. old-fashioned,  a roadside café

Word History and Origins

Origin of pull up¹

First recorded in 1850–55; noun use of verb phrase pull up

Idioms and Phrases

Stop or cause to stop, as in He pulled up his horse , or They pulled up in front of the door . [Early 1600s]

Catch up, advance in relation to others, as in a race. For example, She was behind at the start, but she quickly pulled up . [Late 1800s] Also see pull oneself up by one's bootstraps .

Related Words

• arrive 
• brake 
• pause