pull apart en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Meanings
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see pull, apart.
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(intransitive) To become separated as a result of pulling.
A frayed rope will pull apart under tension.
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(transitive) To separate (people or animals that are fighting).
The drunken brawlers had to be pulled apart.
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(transitive) To disassemble, dismantle, take apart (a machine or other mechanical device).
When his watch stopped working, he pulled it apart to work out what was wrong with it.
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(figuratively, transitive) To investigate rigorously the basis of (an idea or theory).
Starting with a couple of inconsistencies, the detective began to pull apart his alibi.
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(figuratively, transitive) To criticise harshly and in detail.
The professor pulled her essay apart in front of the entire class.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| pulls apart | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| pulled apart | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| pulled apart | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| pulling apart | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic |
Coordinates
Translations (7)
pl rozsuwać (to separate two people or animals that are fighting) · ru разнима́ть (to separate two people or animals that are fighting) · de trennen (to separate two people or animals that are fighting) · pl rozsunąć (to separate two people or animals that are fighting) · ru разня́ть (to separate two people or animals that are fighting) · pl rozdzielać (to separate two people or animals that are fighting) · pl rozdzielić (to separate two people or animals that are fighting)