pull up
stop a car or other vehicle
What does "pull up" mean?
Examples
- A black taxi pulled up outside the hotel and the driver honked twice.
- She pulled up at the kerb and waited for him to get in.
- Just as we reached the gate, a police car pulled up alongside us.
How to use it
This is the most common structure, where a vehicle or driver stops at a named place.
A white van pulled up outside the café and two men got out.
Use these prepositions to show exactly where the vehicle stopped.
He pulled up in front of the station and told us to jump in.
Use 'at' with specific stopping points like a kerb, gate, or traffic lights.
The taxi pulled up at the kerb and the driver turned to look at us.
Adverbs like 'sharply' or 'suddenly' show how quickly or abruptly the vehicle stopped.
The car pulled up sharply just before the crossing.
Use 'alongside' or 'next to' when the vehicle stops beside something or someone.
A motorbike pulled up alongside us at the traffic lights.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
Use 'pull up' when a vehicle simply stops at a destination or specific place. Use 'pull over' when a vehicle moves to the side of the road, especially when told to do so (for example, by the police).
In this sense, 'pull up' is normally used without a direct object. The vehicle or driver is the subject, and a location phrase follows — not a vehicle noun as an object.
Usage
This phrasal verb is neutral and common in both British and American English, though particularly frequent in British usage. It describes a vehicle or driver stopping briefly at a specific location — it does not suggest parking for a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'pull up' mean the vehicle is parked for a long time?
No — 'pull up' suggests a brief, intentional stop, usually to pick someone up, drop someone off, or arrive at a specific place. If you want to describe leaving a car somewhere for a longer time, 'park' is the better word.
Can the subject be a person or does it have to be a vehicle?
Both are natural. You can say 'the car pulled up' (vehicle as subject) or 'she pulled up' (driver as subject). In everyday English, both patterns are equally common.
Is 'pull up' more British or American English?
It is used in both British and American English, but it is especially common in British English — particularly in stories, news reports, and everyday conversation when describing a vehicle arriving at a place.
Does 'pull up' always relate to vehicles?
No — 'pull up' has other meanings in English, but this page covers only the vehicle sense. The same words can be used in different contexts with very different meanings, so pay attention to the situation.
Which adverbs go well with 'pull up' in this sense?
'Sharply' and 'suddenly' suggest an abrupt stop, while 'slowly' describes a gradual one. These adverbs fit naturally and are common in both spoken and written English: for example, 'the van pulled up sharply at the gate'.
Ready to practise?
Practise 1,000+ English phrasal verbs with interactive gap-fill exercises.
Start Practising →