Definition

Verb (phrasal verb): 1. To assemble or gather things or people: To bring separate items or individuals into one place or group. 2. To organize one's thoughts or emotions: To regain composure, focus, or mental order, especially after being scattered or distressed.

Usage and Examples

• Literal meaning (assemble/gather):
  • We need to pull together all the necessary documents before the meeting.
  • The community pulled together to help the family after the fire.
• Figurative meaning (organize thoughts/emotions):
  • After the shocking news, it took her a moment to pull herself together and speak.
  • You need to pull your thoughts together and write a clear report.

Advanced Usage

• "to pull oneself together": A very common reflexive form meaning to regain control of one's emotions or behavior.
  • He was very upset, but he managed to pull himself together for the presentation.
• "to pull a team together": To unite a group of people to work cooperatively.
  • The new manager's first task was to pull the team together and improve morale.

Variants and Related Words

• Pull-together (noun, hyphenated): Sometimes used informally to describe a cooperative effort or teamwork.
  • It was a real pull-together to finish the project on time.
• Assemble (verb): To fit together the parts of something.
• Gather (verb): To come together; to collect.

Synonyms

• Collect: To bring things together from different places.
• Muster: To assemble people, especially for military service.
• Rally: To bring people together for a common purpose.
• Compose oneself: To become calm and controlled.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Pull apart: To separate or dismantle.
  • The critics pulled his argument apart.
• Pull through: To survive a difficult situation or illness.
  • With support, she will pull through this crisis.

Related Idioms

• Pull your weight: To do your fair share of the work in a group effort.
  • If everyone doesn't pull their weight, the project will fail.
• Pull in the same direction: To work together toward a common goal.
  • For the company to succeed, all departments must pull in the same direction.

Verb

1. assemble or get together
   • gather some stones
   • pull your thoughts together