pull down

destroy a building or structure

B2

What does "pull sth down" mean?

To pull down a building or structure means to deliberately demolish it, usually so that something new can be built in its place. It is most commonly used when talking about old, derelict, or unwanted buildings being removed as part of urban development or regeneration. The phrase often appears alongside a reason for the demolition — for example, a building might be pulled down to make way for a new road or housing development. You can substitute 'demolish' in almost every case and the meaning stays the same, though 'pull down' has a slightly more everyday feel. It can sometimes carry a regretful tone, particularly when the demolished structure was historically or culturally valued.

Examples

How to use it

pull down + building/structure

The most common pattern, where the object is a noun referring to a physical structure such as a factory, church, or tower block.

The council decided to pull down the derelict tower block after years of complaints from residents.

pull + pronoun (it/them) + down

When the object is a pronoun, it must go between 'pull' and 'down' — placing it after 'down' is always wrong.

The old factory had been empty for decades, so the developers pulled it down last spring.

be pulled down

The passive form is very natural, especially in journalism and formal writing when reporting on demolition decisions or events.

The Victorian terrace was pulled down in the 1970s to make way for a ring road.

pull down + building + to + verb

This pattern explains the purpose of the demolition and is extremely common, often with phrases like 'to make way for' or 'to build'.

They pulled down the old cinema to build a luxury apartment complex.

plan/propose/want to pull down + building

Used when a demolition has been proposed or decided but not yet carried out, often in planning or heritage discussions.

Campaigners are protesting against plans to pull down the historic warehouse by the river.

Common Collocations

old buildingfactorychurchtower blockbridgewall

Common Mistakes

Pronoun placed after 'down'

When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must come between 'pull' and 'down'. Placing the pronoun after 'down' is always incorrect.

✗ They decided to pull down it before the end of the year.
✓ They decided to pull it down before the end of the year.
Separating with a very long noun phrase

With short objects, separation sounds natural, but placing a long noun phrase between 'pull' and 'down' sounds awkward. Keep long objects after 'down'.

✗ They pulled the last remaining Georgian townhouse in the entire district down.
✓ They pulled down the last remaining Georgian townhouse in the entire district.
Confusing 'pull down' with 'knock down'

'Knock down' is largely interchangeable with 'pull down' when talking about demolishing buildings, so mixing them up is not usually a problem. However, 'knock down' can also mean to hit a person and make them fall, while 'pull down' cannot — so be careful with context involving people.

✗ The car pulled down the cyclist at the junction.
✓ The car knocked down the cyclist at the junction.

Usage

This phrasal verb is common in British English; American speakers more often say 'tear down'. Both are neutral in register and can be used in news articles, essays, and everyday conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'pull down' mainly British English?

Yes, 'pull down' in this sense is more common in British and Irish English. American English speakers tend to prefer 'tear down' when talking about demolishing buildings. Both are correct and widely understood, but if you're writing for a British audience, 'pull down' is the more natural choice.

Can 'pull down' be used in the passive?

Yes, the passive is very natural with this phrasal verb. You'll often see it in news reports and historical writing — for example, 'The old market hall was pulled down in the 1960s'. It works especially well when the focus is on the building rather than who demolished it.

Does 'pull down' always refer to buildings?

In this sense, yes — the object should be a physical structure such as a building, wall, bridge, or statue. If you see 'pull down' used with abstract or financial objects (like profits or grades), that's a different sense of the phrasal verb. The simplest test is to check whether you can replace it with 'demolish': if you can, it's this sense.

Can I use 'pull down' in the present continuous, like 'they are pulling it down'?

Yes, but only when the demolition is actually in progress at the time of speaking. It would be natural to say 'They're pulling down the old factory this week' if work is actively underway. If you're talking about future plans or general statements, the simple form or infinitive is more typical — for example, 'They plan to pull it down next year'.

What kinds of structures can be 'pulled down'?

Almost any physical structure can be pulled down — factories, churches, tower blocks, bridges, walls, warehouses, hospitals, and cinemas are all very common in real usage. The key is that the object must be something concrete and built, not an abstract concept. Derelict or condemned buildings are especially typical objects for this phrasal verb.

Related Phrasal Verbs

knock sth down
tear sth down

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