pull up
Meaning(s)
1. criticize or confront someone for something they have done wrong
Popularity
High
Professional
High
Social
How to Memorize
pull someone up on their poor behaviour
Analysis
The phrasal verb pull up can refer to a vehicle coming to a stop, it can also mean to stop what you are doing. If someone asks you to pull up a chair, it means they expect you to move a chair over to where they are sitting so that you can sit beside them. If you pull someone up on something it means to criticise someone or to expose them for not doing well enough. As a noun, a pull up is an exercise whereby you use your upper body strength to pull the rest of your body up.
Social Examples (Advance)
- I felt that I had to pull Emily up on what she said to Mark. She shouldn't get away with being so rude and disrespectful.
- I had to pull up John on his manners, he was out of line at dinner.
Professional Examples (Advance)
- The boss called Brian into his office and pulled him up on his poor attitude and lack of productivity. Brian promised to do better in future.
- Claire is an excellent journalist. She has no problem pulling politicians up and holding them accountable for their actions.
2. stop, or bring something close to someone or something
Popularity
High
Professional
High
Social
How to Memorize
pull up a chair/pull up outside the house
Analysis
The phrasal verb pull up can refer to a vehicle coming to a stop, it can also mean to stop what you are doing. If someone asks you to pull up a chair, it means they expect you to move a chair over to where they are sitting so that you can sit beside them.
Social Examples (Basic)
- I asked the taxi driver to pull up outside my house.
- Pull up a chair and tell us all your news. We haven't seen you in ages.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- Pull up a chair next to me and I'll take you through how the system works.
- You can tell the delivery driver to pull up outside the side door and I can help unload the delivery.
3. obtain and open a source of information about someone or something
Popularity
High
Professional
High
Social
How to Memorize
pull those files/documents up for me
Analysis
When you are talking about making something appear on a screen or a device you can use 'pull up' in a similar way to 'bring up'. Meaning to make something appear.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- I need you to pull up last month's sales figures so I can include them in my report.
- I wanted to learn more about the person I was considering for the job, so I went onto various social media sites and pulled up his profile.