A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

pull a face • pull a long face
pull a face —show one’s dislike, disgust, or derision by one’s
facial expression: He pulled a face as if he had heard a slate
pencil gritting against a slate.
pull a long face —assume an unhappy, dismal expression:
Peter pulled a long face when the results of the competition
were announced.
private school
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pull foot • pull someone’s leg
pull foot—(dated) leave in a hurry; run with all one’s might:
The whole crew pulled foot as if Old Nick had held them in
chase.
pull someone’s leg —(coll.) tease or mislead smb. humorously:
Stanley knew they were pulling his leg, but instead of finding
it amusing he felt uneasy.
See also: drag one’s feet / drag one’s foot.
pull in one’s claws • pull in one’s horns
pull in one’s claws —(also: draw in one’s claws) be less hostile
and aggressive: Maybe his obviously terrible political tactics
of the last few months have made him pull in his claws.
pull in one’s horns —(also: draw in one’s horns) be less keen
or active, and more careful: To buy when the buying is good,
and to pull in my horns when things are negative. I try to
respond to the market…
pull it off • pull it out
pull it off —cause smth. to happen; succeed in a difficult
attempt: With Jean as leader of the party, the Liberals can
pull it off. They can win the election.
pull it out—(Sport) barely win; win just before the end:
Despite Peyton’s extremely lackluster day we managed to pull
it out with our running game and versatility.
pull on the heartstrings • pull the strings
pull on the heartstrings —(also: tug at the heartstrings) stir
deepest feelings or affections: The group’s songs have the abil-
ity to pull on the heartstrings of listeners and carry elevating
messages of hope and warmth.
pull the strings —(also: pull strings)
1
. secretly exert influence
and power: Tony’s uncle had the title of boss but it was obvious
to all of us who really pulled the strings. 2. obtain smth.
through the influence of people one knows: Is it possible to
get anything done around here without pulling strings?