pull me down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pull me down" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a feeling of being overwhelmed or weighed down by a certain situation or emotions. For example, "The pressure of this project is pulling me down, but I will try to stay positive".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

He threw himself down on the bed and said, 'Come and sit.' He gently tried to pull me down with him, and I pulled myself back.

The New Yorker

It isn't nostalgia that threatens to pull me down, but the fear that … going forward the toxic water will continue to rise.

The New York Times

All the others, all that bullshit, they just want to pull me down from the top but I will not go.

The Guardian - Sport

I have so many doubts that they constantly pull me down but now I can see that this is my way of working.

The Guardian

"When I was playing, there was a Hungarian guy and his method of guarding was to reach between my legs and grab me and pull me down," Schroeder said.

The New York Times - Sports

The slight pain caused more panic; the panic made me swim up again; Kaj would try to pull me down, and we continued this dance until, embarrassed and exasperated, I went up to the surface, removed the breathing apparatus, and started to speak.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

They keep pulling me down.

The New York Times

"They were pulling me down.

The New York Times - Sports

"They pulled me down to their level".

The New York Times

Those friendly millstones were pulling me down to their level.

The New Yorker

Someone pulled me down to the orchard floor".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pull me down" when describing a situation or person that is causing you to feel discouraged, overwhelmed, or lower in spirits. It's suitable for both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "pull me down" when you actually mean to convey that you are responsible for your own failure. This phrase usually implies an external influence or force.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "pull me down" functions as a transitive verb phrase, describing an action exerted upon the speaker causing a decline in mood, status, or physical position. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to express the impact of external forces or internal struggles.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Huffington Post

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pull me down" is a versatile phrasal verb used to express feelings of discouragement, being overwhelmed, or undermined by external forces or internal struggles. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples from diverse sources, showcasing its prevalence in both formal and informal contexts. While primarily found in News & Media, it also appears in Scientific publications and personal blogs like Huffington Post. When using this phrase, ensure you are accurately conveying the source of your distress and that you are not inadvertently attributing blame where it doesn't belong. Consider alternatives like "drag me down" or "weigh me down" to fine-tune the specific nuance you wish to communicate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drag me down

This alternative suggests a more forceful and unwilling descent.

weigh me down

This implies a burden or load that makes progress difficult.

bring me down

This suggests an external force causing a decline in mood or status.

depress me

This alternative focuses specifically on the emotional impact of feeling down.

discourage me

This suggests a loss of confidence or motivation due to external factors.

undermine me

This implies a gradual weakening of one's position or efforts.

get me down

This is a more casual way of expressing feeling sad or disheartened.

lower my spirits

This phrase highlights the effect on one's mood or emotional state.

make me feel dejected

This emphasizes the feeling of sadness and disappointment.

defeat me

This implies being overcome or subdued by a challenge or opponent.

FAQs

How can I use "pull me down" in a sentence?

You can use "pull me down" to describe feeling discouraged, overwhelmed, or undermined. For example, "The negativity at work is starting to pull me down" or "I won't let their criticism pull me down".

What are some synonyms for "pull me down"?

Alternatives to "pull me down" include "drag me down", "weigh me down", or "bring me down", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "pull me down"?

Yes, "pull me down" is a correct and commonly used phrasal verb. It effectively communicates the feeling of being brought low or discouraged by external forces or circumstances, as Ludwig confirms.

What's the difference between "pulling me down" and "pulled me down"?

"Pulling me down" is the present continuous form, indicating an ongoing process, while "pulled me down" is the simple past form, indicating a completed action in the past. For example, "The constant criticism is pulling me down" (ongoing) versus "His betrayal pulled me down" (completed action).