pull away
Create increasing distance
Pull away means to move something toward oneself while separating it from something else, or to move oneself away from a place or person.
A car pulls away from the curb; a runner pulls away from the pack to take the lead.
In relationships, to pull away is to become emotionally distant: She felt him pulling away after the argument.
The phrase often implies increasing distance or separation over time.
Sanctuary or withdrawal
- recoilBackward force from discharge
- shrinkDecrease in size
- flinchInvoluntary retreat from threat
- distanceSpace between two points
recede · draw back · step back · back off · disengage · detach · isolate · separate
Sanctioned time away
move off · head out · set off · embark · vacate · recede · retreat · disappear
Pass while moving faster
- outpaceExceed in velocity
- surpassExceed in achievement
- accelerateIncrease in velocity
- gainPositive return received
ahead · pass · outstrip · sprint · race · zoom · dash · chase
retreat
Sanctuary or withdrawal
distance · recede · draw back · step back · back off · disengage · detach · isolate · separate · hold back
leave
Sanctioned time away
depart · move off · head out · set off · embark · vacate · recede · retreat · disappear · vanish
overtake
Pass while moving faster
- outpaceExceed in velocity
- surpassExceed in achievement
- accelerateIncrease in velocity
gain · ahead · pass · outstrip · sprint · race · zoom · dash · chase · throttle
flee
Depart swiftly from threat
- boltThreaded rod for nuts
- break freeEscape from confinement
- eludeSkillfully avoid capture
evade · extricate · liberate · dash · scramble · abscond · flight · breakout · freedom · unshackle
separate
To set apart
- disconnectTo break a connection
- disengageBreak free from attachment
- uncoupleSeparate connected things
sever · remove · release · loosen · unlink · disentangle · extricate · peel · tear · rip
- disconnectingdetaching, disconnect, disengaging, detach, disconnecting
- maneuversmaneuver, feint, sidestep, dodge, evasion
- retreatback off, withdrawal, retreating, back up, backing up
- sea shantiesDrunken Sailor, shanties, sea shanties, Rio Grande, South Australia
- flinchingflinch, flinching, wince, wincing, recoil
pull awayfall behind
Fail to maintain pace
lose ground · drop back · lag behind · fade · fall back
pull, away, run away, throw away, pulling, take away, pulley, pulls, pulled