pull away
يبتعد
Littéralement: to drag or tug in a direction away from something
Use `pull away` when a vehicle moves or a person creates physical or emotional distance.
En 15 secondes
- Used for vehicles starting to move from a stop.
- Describes someone becoming emotionally distant or cold.
- Indicates increasing a lead in a race or competition.
- Common in both casual talk and professional writing.
Signification
This phrase describes something moving away from a starting point. It can be a car leaving a curb or a person emotionally distancing themselves from someone else.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Watching a train leave
The train began to pull away from the platform just as I arrived.
بدأ القطار في الابتعاد عن الرصيف فور وصولي.
Noticing a friend is being quiet
I feel like Sarah is pulling away from the group lately.
أشعر أن سارة تبتعد عن المجموعة مؤخراً.
Professional driving instructions
Check your mirrors before you pull away from the curb.
تحقق من مراياك قبل أن تبتعد عن الرصيف.
Contexte culturel
The phrase gained popularity with the rise of car culture in the mid-20th century. It captures the specific motion of a vehicle smoothly accelerating away from a stationary position. Emotionally, it reflects modern psychological concepts of 'avoidant' behavior in relationships.
The Car Rule
If you are in a car and it starts moving from the side of the road, always use `pull away`. It makes you sound like a native speaker.
Don't confuse with 'Pull Over'
`Pull over` is the opposite! It means to stop the car at the side of the road, usually for the police or a phone call.
En 15 secondes
- Used for vehicles starting to move from a stop.
- Describes someone becoming emotionally distant or cold.
- Indicates increasing a lead in a race or competition.
- Common in both casual talk and professional writing.
What It Means
Pull away is all about creating distance. Imagine a car slowly leaving its parking spot. Or think about someone physically moving their hand back when you try to touch it. It also works for emotions. It describes that moment when a friend starts acting distant or cold.
How To Use It
You use it for physical movement first. If you are driving, you pull away from the traffic light. If you are at a party, you might pull away from a boring conversation. For emotions, use it when someone stops being open. You might say, "I felt her pull away after our argument."
When To Use It
Use it when a vehicle starts moving. It is perfect for trains leaving stations or buses leaving stops. Use it in relationships when things feel "off." It is great for describing a race too. If a runner is winning, they pull away from the other athletes.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for permanent breakups. Use break up for that. Pull away is the process of becoming distant, not the final end. Avoid using it for simple walking. You don't pull away to the grocery store. You just go there. It requires a starting point to leave behind.
Cultural Background
In Western culture, personal space is a big deal. If someone pulls away physically, it is a strong social signal. It usually means "I need space" or "You are too close." In sports, commentators love this phrase. It builds excitement when a team starts to lead by a lot of points.
Common Variations
You might hear pull out, which is specifically for cars entering traffic. Pull back is similar but usually means retreating from a plan. Pull away remains the most common for both cars and feelings. It feels natural and very common in daily life.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is very versatile and sits right in the middle of the formality scale. Be careful not to use it when you simply mean 'to leave a room' on foot.
The Car Rule
If you are in a car and it starts moving from the side of the road, always use `pull away`. It makes you sound like a native speaker.
Don't confuse with 'Pull Over'
`Pull over` is the opposite! It means to stop the car at the side of the road, usually for the police or a phone call.
Emotional Nuance
In English-speaking cultures, saying someone is `pulling away` is a gentle way to bring up a problem without being too aggressive.
Exemples
6The train began to pull away from the platform just as I arrived.
بدأ القطار في الابتعاد عن الرصيف فور وصولي.
Describes a vehicle starting its journey.
I feel like Sarah is pulling away from the group lately.
أشعر أن سارة تبتعد عن المجموعة مؤخراً.
Describes emotional distance in a friendship.
Check your mirrors before you pull away from the curb.
تحقق من مراياك قبل أن تبتعد عن الرصيف.
Standard instruction for operating a vehicle.
Did you see that? The Ferrari is really pulling away now!
هل رأيت ذلك؟ سيارة الفيراري تبتعد حقاً الآن!
Used when a competitor increases their lead.
I tried to hug him, but he pulled away like I was covered in spiders.
حاولت معانقته، لكنه ابتعد وكأنني مغطى بالعناكب.
Uses hyperbole to describe a physical reaction.
Every time I try to talk about our future, you pull away.
في كل مرة أحاول الحديث عن مستقبلنا، تبتعد.
Focuses on the avoidance of intimacy.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct form to describe a car leaving.
Wait! The bus is ___ from the stop!
`Pulling away` is used when a vehicle leaves a stationary point.
Select the best word for emotional distance.
He started to ___ after they had a big argument.
`Pull away` describes the act of becoming emotionally distant.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Pull Away'
Used with friends about feelings.
Why are you pulling away?
Standard for driving or sports.
The car pulled away.
Used in literature or reports.
The suspect pulled away at high speed.
Where to use 'Pull Away'
Driving
Leaving a parking spot.
Relationships
Being less affectionate.
Sports
Winning a race by a lot.
Physical
Moving your hand back.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot usually. It is mostly for vehicles or emotional distance. If you are walking and speed up to leave someone, you would say walk away or get ahead.
Yes, especially if describing market trends. You could say, 'Our company is pulling away from the competition,' meaning you are doing much better than them.
Pull out is specifically for moving from a side road into a main flow of traffic. Pull away is just the general act of leaving the spot where you were stopped.
The past tense is pulled away. For example: 'The taxi pulled away before I could see the license plate.'
Yes, if you are physically separating two things that are stuck together, you might pull them away from each other.
Usually, yes. It implies a lack of communication or a loss of interest. It is a sign that someone is becoming less involved.
No, it is almost always used as a phrasal verb. You wouldn't say 'a pull-away' in most contexts.
We usually use taxi or take off for planes. However, you could say a plane is pulling away from the gate.
Becoming distant or withdrawing are good synonyms for the emotional side of pulling away.
Yes, it is used equally in both British and American English with the same meanings.
Expressions liées
pull over
To move a vehicle to the side of the road and stop.
pull back
To withdraw from a situation or commitment.
drift apart
When two people slowly lose their close relationship over time.
gain ground
The opposite of pulling away in a race; to get closer to a competitor.
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