pu ffed u p
1 ADJ If you describe someone as puffed up , you disapprove of them because they are very proud of themselves and think that they are very important. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ with ] …an insufferable woman so puffed up with her own importance.
2 → see also puffed
puf|fin /pʌ f I n/ (puffins ) N‑COUNT A puffin is a black and white seabird with a large, brightly-coloured beak.
pu ff pa s|try N‑UNCOUNT Puff pastry is a type of pastry which is very light and consists of a lot of thin layers.
puffy /pʌ fi/ (puffier , puffiest ) ADJ If a part of someone's body, especially their face, is puffy , it has a round, swollen appearance. □ Her cheeks were puffy with crying. □ …dark-ringed puffy eyes. ● puffi|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ He noticed some slight puffiness beneath her eyes.
pug /pʌ g/ (pugs ) N‑COUNT A pug is a small, fat, short-haired dog with a flat face.
pu|gi|list /pjuː dʒ I l I st/ (pugilists ) N‑COUNT A pugilist is a boxer. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
pug|na|cious /pʌgne I ʃəs/ ADJ Someone who is pugnacious is always ready to quarrel or start a fight. [FORMAL ] □ …the pugnacious little Scouse striker who terrorised defences across the North West in a prolific playing career.
pug|nac|ity /pʌgnæ s I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Pugnacity is the quality of being pugnacious. [FORMAL ] □ He is legendary for his fearlessness and pugnacity.
puke /pjuː k/ (pukes , puking , puked )
1 VERB When someone pukes , they vomit. [INFORMAL ] □ [V ] They got drunk and puked out the window. ● PHRASAL VERB Puke up means the same as puke . □ [V P ] He peered at me like I'd just puked up on his jeans. □ [V n P ] I figured, why eat when I was going to puke it up again?
2 N‑UNCOUNT Puke is the same as vomit . [INFORMAL ] □ He was fully clothed and covered in puke and piss.
puk|ka /pʌ kə/ ADJ If you describe something or someone as pukka , you mean that they are real or genuine, and of good quality. [BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ …a pukka English gentleman.
pull ◆◆◇ /pʊ l/ (pulls , pulling , pulled )
1 VERB When you pull something, you hold it firmly and use force in order to move it towards you or away from its previous position. □ [V n with adv] They have pulled out patients' teeth unnecessarily. □ [V prep] Erica was solemn, pulling at her blonde curls. □ [V n prep] I helped pull him out of the water. □ [V n] Someone pulled her hair. □ [V n] He knew he should pull the trigger, but he was suddenly paralysed by fear. □ [V ] Pull as hard as you can. □ [V n adj] I let myself out into the street and pulled the door shut. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Pull is also a noun. □ The feather must be removed with a straight, firm pull.
2 VERB When you pull an object from a bag, pocket, or cupboard, you put your hand in and bring the object out. □ [V n prep] Jack pulled the slip of paper from his shirt pocket. □ [V n with adv] Katie reached into her shopping bag and pulled out a loaf of bread.
3 VERB When a vehicle, animal, or person pulls a cart or piece of machinery, they are attached to it or hold it, so that it moves along behind them when they move forward. □ [V n] This is early-20th-century rural Sussex, when horses still pulled the plough.
4 VERB If you pull yourself or pull a part of your body in a particular direction, you move your body or a part of your body with effort or force. □ [V pron-refl prep/adv] Hughes pulled himself slowly to his feet. □ [V n prep/adv] He pulled his arms out of the sleeves. □ [V n adj] She tried to pull her hand free. □ [V adv] Lillian brushed his cheek with her fingertips. He pulled away and said, 'Don't!'
5 VERB When a driver or vehicle pulls to a stop or a halt, the vehicle stops. □ [V prep] He pulled to a stop behind a pickup truck.
6 VERB In a race or contest, if you pull ahead of or pull away from an opponent, you gradually increase the amount by which you are ahead of them. □ [V adv] He pulled away, extending his lead to 15 seconds.
7 VERB If you pull something apart , you break or divide it into small pieces, often in order to put them back together again in a different way. □ [V n with adv] If I wanted to improve the car significantly I would have to pull it apart and start again.
8 VERB If someone pulls a gun or a knife on someone else, they take out a gun or knife and threaten the other person with it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n + on ] They had a fight. One of them pulled a gun on the other. □ [V n] I pulled a knife and threatened her.
9 VERB To pull crowds, viewers, or voters means to attract them. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] The organisers have to employ performers to pull a crowd. ● PHRASAL VERB Pull in means the same as pull . □ [V P n] They provided a far better news service and pulled in many more viewers. □ [V n P ] She is still beautiful, and still pulling them in at sixty.
10 N‑COUNT A pull is a strong physical force which causes things to move in a particular direction. □ [+ of ] …the pull of gravity.
11 VERB If you pull a muscle, you injure it by straining it. □ [V n] Dave pulled a back muscle and could barely kick the ball. □ [V -ed] He suffered a pulled calf muscle.
12 VERB To pull a stunt or a trick on someone means to do something dramatic or silly in order to get their attention or trick them. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n + on ] Everyone saw the stunt you pulled on me. [Also V n]