pull (someone) up on (something)
Meaning(s)
1. criticize or hold someone responsible for something
Popularity
High
Professional
High
Social
How to Memorize
I pulled him/her up for their behaviour
Analysis
To pull someone up on something means to question something they have said, to be critical of their behaviour or hold someone responsible for an action or something they have said.
Social Examples (Advance)
- Whenever we go to the pub, the night always ends with me pulling Oliver up for his bad behaviour. The problem is that he acts like an idiot when he's drunk.
- We have to make a commitment to pulling people up on discriminatory behaviour.
Professional Examples (Advance)
- I had to pull Jack up for his persistent lateness. It's not something that should ever be tolerated in a professional environment.
- The journalist pulled the politician up for her insensitive comments, and asked whether she intended to apologise for them.