about one's ears
around one's ears
bring down about one's ears
bring down around one's ears
pull down about one's ears
pull down around one's ears
To or into complete collapse, defeat, or ruin; to the destruction of a person's plans, hopes, or happiness.
They planned to have factories all over the world but the war brought their plans down about their ears.
John hoped to go to college and become a great scientist some day, but when his father died he had to get a job, and John's dreams came crashing around his ears.
boot strap
by one's own bootstraps
drag oneself up by one's bootstraps
pull oneself up by the bootstraps
pull oneself up by one's own bootstraps
To succeed without help; succeed by your own efforts.
He had to pull himself up by the bootstraps.
haul in
haul up
pull in
To bring before someone in charge for punishment or questioning; arrest.
John was hauled in to court for speeding.
The tramp was hauled up for sleeping on the sidewalk.
long face
pull a long face
A sad look; disappointed look. Often used in the phrase pull a long face.
He told the story with a long face.
Don't pull a long face when I tell you to go to bed.
long haul
long pull
A long distance or trip.
It is a long haul to drive across the country.
A long length of time during which work continues or something is done; a long time of trying. Often used in the phrase over the long haul.
A boy crippled by polio may learn to walk again, but it may be a long haul.
Over the long haul, an expensive pair of shoes may save you money.
pull a fast one
To gain the advantage over one's opponent unfairly; deceive; trick.
When Smith was told by his boss that he might be fired, he called the company president, his father-in-law, and pulled a fast one by having his boss demoted.
pull date
The date stamped on baked goods, dairy products, or other perishable foods indicating the last day on which they may be sold before they must be removed from the shelves in a retail store.
This pie is way past the pull date - small wonder it's rotten.
pull down
To catch (a ball) after a hard run.
The outfielder pulled down a long drive to center field.
To earn.
Mr. Blake pulls down $500 a week.
John pulled down an A in algebra by studying hard.