pulling away
Leaving others behind
Pulling away describes increasing distance or separation.
A car pulls away from the curb; a runner pulls away from the pack to take the lead.
The phrase often implies gaining advantage: By the third quarter, the home team was pulling away.
It also describes emotional withdrawal: She felt him pulling away from the relationship.
- detachingUnfastening from attachment
- recedingMoving away from observer
- disengagingReleasing from attachment
- distanceSpace between two points
- retreatingMoving back from advance
withdrawal · letting go · escape · breaking free · separating · departure · exit · taking off · disentangle · decouple · cutting ties · parting · sever · estranged · losing touch · peeling off · unhook · untether
- disconnectingdetaching, disconnect, disengaging, detach, disconnecting
- withdrawalwithdrawing, cash withdrawal, ATM withdrawal, early withdrawal, fund withdrawal
- avoidanceavoidance, distancing, evasion, dodging, withdrawal
- detachmentemotional numbness, detached, dispassion, disengaged, indifference
- divergingforking, splitting, branching, parting, separating
- emotional responsesfacial expression, tone of voice, temper tantrum, mood swing, silent treatment
pulling awayclosing in
Steadily approaching something
approaching · advancing · nearing · converging · bearing down
pulling awayclosing the gap
Reducing separation or difference
catching up · gaining ground · closing in · falling behind · reeling in
pulling awayopening up
Becoming less guarded
reaching out · connecting · leaning in · bonding · warming up