To pull a finch

Pull Pull, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pulled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Pulling}.] [AS. pullian; cf. LG. pulen, and Gael. peall, piol, spiol.] 1. To draw, or attempt to draw, toward one; to draw forcibly. [1913 Webster]

Ne'er pull your hat upon your brows. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

He put forth his hand . . . and pulled her in. --Gen. viii. 9. [1913 Webster]

2. To draw apart; to tear; to rend. [1913 Webster]

He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; he hath made me desolate. --Lam. iii. 11. [1913 Webster]

3. To gather with the hand, or by drawing toward one; to pluck; as, to pull fruit; to pull flax; to pull a finch. [1913 Webster]

4. To move or operate by the motion of drawing towards one; as, to pull a bell; to pull an oar. [1913 Webster]

5. (Horse Racing) To hold back, and so prevent from winning; as, the favorite was pulled. [1913 Webster]

6. (Print.) To take or make, as a proof or impression; -- hand presses being worked by pulling a lever. [1913 Webster]

7. (Cricket) To strike the ball in a particular manner. See {Pull}, n., 8. [1913 Webster]

Never pull a straight fast ball to leg. --R. H. Lyttelton. [1913 Webster]

{To pull and haul}, to draw hither and thither. `` Both are equally pulled and hauled to do that which they are unable to do. '' --South.

{To pull down}, to demolish; to destroy; to degrade; as, to pull down a house. `` In political affairs, as well as mechanical, it is easier to pull down than build up.'' --Howell. `` To raise the wretched, and pull down the proud.'' --Roscommon.

{To pull a finch}. See under {Finch}.

{To pull off}, take or draw off. [1913 Webster]