pull someone up
pull someone up (idiom)
/pʊl ˈsʌm.wʌn ʌp/
Variants
- pull up
- pull you up
- pull me up
- pull them up
Meaning
- addressing someone’s behavior or performance to correct it.
- to stop someone to address their mistake.
- intervening to make someone aware of their error.
- to encourage someone to do better.
- motivating someone to improve their performance or behavior.
- to bring someone to a higher position or level.
- helping someone improve their status, condition, or rank.
- to physically lift someone up.
- using physical effort to raise someone from a lower position to a higher one.
Example Sentences
- The coach pulled the player up for missing practice and emphasized the importance of commitment.
- During the meeting, she pulled him up for his lack of preparation.
- After noticing the error in the report, the manager pulled her up to discuss the necessary corrections.
- He pulled his friend up when he was feeling down about his recent failures, offering words of encouragement.
- The teacher pulled the student up by praising his efforts and encouraging him to keep improving.
Origin and History
The phrase “pull someone up” has multiple theories explaining its development over time. It covers literal physical actions, maritime and military contexts, vehicle and transportation terminology, and a broader idiomatic evolution. It reflects a rich tapestry of linguistic and cultural influences. Here’s a comprehensive look at the possible origins and history of this idiom, considering all available theories:
Literal Roots in Physical Assistance
Historically, the phrase began as a literal action. Pulling someone up from a lower position, such as out of a ditch or hole, was a common physical task that naturally extended into a metaphor for helping someone rise in status, condition, or morale. This practical usage evolved to encompass a broader, more figurative meaning, including emotional and social support.
Maritime Origins
In maritime contexts, sailors would pull each other up from lower decks or from the water, reinforcing the idea of assistance and rescue. The physical act of pulling someone to safety from the sea or a lower deck translates metaphorically to providing help or support in challenging situations. This usage underscores the phrase’s connection to mutual aid and survival among sailors.
Military Origins
In military settings, superiors would pull up subordinates, either physically during training or metaphorically by correcting their behavior or performance. This usage emphasizes the role of authority and discipline in ensuring soldiers’ improvement and proper conduct. It also reflects the hierarchical structure of military life, where higher-ranking officers are responsible for the development and correction of those under their command.
Evolution in Common Language
The broader idiom “pull yourself up by your bootstraps,” which originated in the 19th century, has also been associated with the phrase “pull someone up.” Initially describing an impossible task, this idiom has since evolved to mean self-improvement through one’s own efforts. Although not identical, the evolution of “pull someone up” likely parallels this idiom, emphasizing improvement and advancement, often with external support.
Vehicle and Transportation Context
The phrase “pull up” originally referred to the literal action of pulling or steering a vehicle towards a specific location. This usage dates back to the era of horse-drawn carriages, where drivers would “pull up” the reins to halt their horses. As transportation evolved, the phrase became associated with cars and other modern vehicles. This historical context further explains how the phrase came to signify arriving or stopping at a destination, which metaphorically expanded to mean addressing someone’s behavior or helping them progress.
Earliest Documented Usage
The earliest printed records of “pull someone up” in a figurative sense date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often found in literature and newspapers where figures of authority or mentors corrected or reprimanded others. This usage highlights the phrase’s long-standing role in describing correction and guidance.
Modern Adaptations
Today, the phrase “pull someone up” maintains its core meanings of assistance, correction, and encouragement in a variety of contexts, from casual to formal. Its adaptability and relevance across different scenarios have solidified its place in modern English.
Synonyms
- reprimand; scold; correct; admonish; rebuke.
See also: bout to pull up
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