Idiom
on the pull
Meanings
Actively trying to attract a partner for a casual romantic or sexual encounter, especially during a night out.
Definition
Trying to meet and attract someone for a casual romantic or sexual relationship, especially on a night out.
If someone is "on the pull," they are actively looking to flirt and find someone to go home with or start a casual hookup with. It is often used about people in bars, clubs, or at parties. The phrase is informal and is mainly used in British English.
Examples
- He was clearly on the pull the moment we walked into the bar.
- She wasn’t on the pull; she just wanted a quiet drink with friends.
- They went out on the pull and stayed in town until closing time.
- Stop acting like you’re on the pull at your cousin’s wedding.
- I’m not on the pull tonight—I’m exhausted.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use it in formal contexts, but "on the pull" is informal and best suited to casual conversation.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (adjectival phrase)s
- off one's trolley To be off one's trolley means to behave in a crazy, irrational, or wildly unreasonable way.
- in good nick If something is in good nick, it is in good condition and works well.
- in hot water To be in hot water means to be in trouble or facing criticism because of something you did.
- under the cosh If someone is under the cosh, they are under strong pressure or being controlled harshly.
- under the weather If you are under the weather, you feel slightly ill or not at your best.