Poll vs. Pull: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Poll is the process of voting in an election or survey, while pull is to exert force on something towards oneself.
Key Differences
Polls are a method of inquiry that involves questioning a representative sample, often used to gauge public opinion or voting intentions. Pull, by contrast, is a physical action where force is applied to bring an object closer or to follow in a particular direction.
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Nov 23, 2023
In polling, a group of people is asked for their opinions or choices, which are then recorded to represent the larger population. With pull, it's about applying a force to attract, such as when one pulls a door open or draws an object toward oneself.
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Nov 23, 2023
The term poll can also refer to the part of an animal's head, the area between the ears, while in a different context, pull can describe an attraction or influence, such as a city's cultural pull.
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Nov 23, 2023
Polling can be a tool for decision-making in politics, marketing, and social sciences, reflecting collective preferences or predictions. Pull can refer to influence, as in the gravitational pull of the moon or the pull of a charismatic leader.
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Nov 23, 2023
Polls often play a significant role in democracies during elections, where the term can also mean the place where votes are cast. Pull has various meanings, including the act of taking a puff on a cigarette or drawing liquid into one's mouth.
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Nov 23, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Usage
Decision-making in various fields
Physical movement, attraction, influence
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Nov 23, 2023
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Poll and Pull Definitions
Poll
The head or a part of the head of an animal.
The horse was sensitive to touch on its poll.
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Nov 10, 2023
Pull
To exert force on something to move it towards oneself.
She had to pull the door to open it.
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Nov 10, 2023
Poll
A record of the number of votes cast.
The final poll showed a significant lead for the candidate.
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Nov 10, 2023
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Pull
To attract or draw someone or something.
The festival's lineup pulled a large crowd.
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Nov 10, 2023
Pull
To apply force to (something) so as to cause or tend to cause motion toward the source of the force
Pulled her chair up to the table.
Pulled the wagon down the street.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Poll
The places where votes are cast and registered during an election, considered as a group
The polls close in this state at 8:00.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
A place where votes are cast and registered
I went to the polls before work to cast a vote.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Poll
A survey of the public or of a sample of public opinion to acquire information.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
(Slang) To draw out (a weapon) in readiness for use
Pull a gun.
Pulled a knife on me.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
(Informal) To remove
Pulled the car's engine.
Pulled the tainted meat product from the stores.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Pull
(Sports) To hit (a ball) so that it moves in the direction away from the dominant hand of the player propelling it, as to the left of a right-handed player.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Poll
To trim or cut off the hair, wool, branches, or horns of
Polled the sheep.
Polled the trees.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
A survey of people, usually statistically analyzed to gauge wider public opinion.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
A formal vote held in order to ascertain the most popular choice.
The student council had a poll to see what people want served in the cafeteria.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Pull
To exert force in moving something toward the source of the force
Pull harder and the window will open.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Poll
The result of the voting, the total number of votes recorded. can "poll" also have another sense synonymous with "electoral register"?
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
To move in a certain direction or toward a certain goal
Pulled into the driveway.
Pulled even with the race leader.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
The head, particularly the scalp or pate upon which hair (normally) grows.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
To gain a position closer to an objective
Our team has pulled within three points of the league leader.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
(in extended senses of the above) A mass of people, a mob or muster, considered as a head count.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
To drink or inhale deeply
Pulled on the cold beer with gusto.
Pull on a cigarette.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
(Informal) To express or feel great sympathy or empathy
We're pulling for our new president.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
One who does not try for honors at university, but is content to take a degree merely; a passman.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
Force exerted in pulling or required to overcome resistance in pulling
How much pull does this tugboat have?.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
To register or deposit, as a vote; to elicit or call forth, as votes or voters.
He polled a hundred votes more than his opponent.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
(Slang) A means of gaining special advantage; influence
The lobbyist has pull with the senator.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
To cut off; to remove by clipping, shearing, etc.; to mow or crop.
To poll the hair; to poll wool; to poll grass
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
(Informal) The ability to draw or attract; appeal
A star with pull at the box office.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
To apply a force to (an object) so that it comes toward the person or thing applying the force.
When I give the signal, pull the rope.
You're going to have to pull harder to get that cork out of the bottle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
To gather with the hand, or by drawing toward oneself; to pluck.
To pull fruit from a tree
Pull flax
Pull a finch
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
To (repeatedly) request the status of something (such as a computer or printer on a network).
The network hub polled the department’s computers to determine which ones could still respond.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
To persuade (someone) to have sex with one.
I pulled at the club last night.
He's pulled that bird over there.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
(transitive) To remove (something), especially from public circulation or availability.
Each day, they pulled the old bread and set out fresh loaves.
The book was due to be released today, but it was pulled at the last minute over legal concerns.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
(transitive) To retrieve or generate for use.
I'll have to pull a part number for that.
This computer file is incorrect. Can we pull the old version from your backups?
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
(construction) To obtain (a permit) from a regulatory authority.
It's the contractor's responsibility to pull the necessary permits before starting work.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
To do or perform.
He regularly pulls 12-hour days, sometimes 14.
You'll be sent home if you pull another stunt like that.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
To enter, as polls or persons, in a list or register; to enroll, especially for purposes of taxation; to enumerate one by one.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
(with 'a' and the name of a person, place, event, etc.) To copy or emulate the actions or behaviour that is associated with the person or thing mentioned.
He pulled an Elvis and got really fat.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
(legal) To cut or shave smooth or even; to cut in a straight line without indentation
A polled deed
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
To toss a frisbee with the intention of launching the disc across the length of a field.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
(of kinds of livestock which typically have horns) Bred without horns, and thus hornless.
Poll Hereford
Red Poll cows
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
To achieve by rowing on a rowing machine.
I pulled a personal best on the erg yesterday.
It had been a sort of race hitherto, and the rowers, with set teeth and compressed lips, had pulled stroke for stroke.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
One who does not try for honors, but is content to take a degree merely; a passman.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
A number or aggregate of heads; a list or register of heads or individuals.
We are the greater poll, and in true fearThey gave us our demands.
The muster file, rotten and sound, upon my life, amounts not to fifteen thousand poll.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Pull
To draw (a hostile non-player character) into combat, or toward or away from some location or target.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
Specifically, the register of the names of electors who may vote in an election.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
(UK) To score a certain number of points in a sport.
How many points did you pull today, Albert?
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
The casting or recording of the votes of registered electors; as, the close of the poll.
All soldiers quartered in place are to remove . . . and not to return till one day after the poll is ended.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Pull
(horse-racing) To hold back, and so prevent from winning.
The favourite was pulled.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
The place where the votes are cast or recorded; as, to go to the polls.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
To take or make (a proof or impression); so called because hand presses were worked by pulling a lever.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
(UK) To draw beer from a pump, keg, or other source.
Let's stop at Finnigan's. The barman pulls a good pint.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
To remove the poll or head of; hence, to remove the top or end of; to clip; to lop; to shear; as, to poll the head; to poll a tree.
When he [Absalom] pollled his head.
His death did so grieve them that they polled themselves; they clipped off their horse and mule's hairs.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Poll
To cut off; to remove by clipping, shearing, etc.; to mow or crop; - sometimes with off; as, to poll the hair; to poll wool; to poll grass.
Who, as he polled off his dart's head, so sure he had decreedThat all the counsels of their war he would poll off like it.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Poll
To extort from; to plunder; to strip.
Which polls and pills the poor in piteous wise.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
(sports) Command used by a target shooter to request that the target be released/launched.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
To pay as one's personal tax.
The man that polled but twelve pence for his head.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
An act of pulling applying force toward oneself.
He gave the hair a sharp pull and it came out.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
To enter, as polls or persons, in a list or register; to enroll, esp. for purposes of taxation; to enumerate one by one.
Polling the reformed churches whether they equalize in number those of his three kingdoms.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Pull
An attractive force which causes motion towards the source.
The spaceship came under the pull of the gas giant.
Iron fillings drawn by the pull of a magnet
She took a pull on her cigarette.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Poll
To register or deposit, as a vote; to elicit or call forth, as votes or voters; as, he polled a hundred votes more than his opponent.
And poll for points of faith his trusty vote.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Pull
An advantage over somebody; a means of influencing.
The hypnotist exerted a pull over his patients.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Poll
To cut or shave smooth or even; to cut in a straight line without indentation; as, a polled deed. See Dee poll.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Pull
Any device meant to be pulled, as a lever, knob, handle, or rope.
A zipper pull
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
Something in one's favour in a comparison or a contest.
In weights the favourite had the pull.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
An inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
The situation where a client sends out a request for data from a server, as in server pull, pull technology
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
(cricket) A type of stroke by which a leg ball is sent to the off side, or an off ball to the on side; a pull shot.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
(golf) A mishit shot which travels in a straight line and (for a right-handed player) left of the intended path.
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Oct 19, 2023
Poll
A process of voting or surveying.
They conducted a poll to predict the election outcome.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 10, 2023
Poll
To take a count of votes or opinions.
The organization polled its members on the new policy.
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Nov 10, 2023
Pull
To draw, or attempt to draw, toward one; to draw forcibly.
Ne'er pull your hat upon your brows.
He put forth his hand . . . and pulled her in.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Poll
To question for public opinion.
News channels frequently poll viewers for their opinions.
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Nov 10, 2023
Pull
To draw apart; to tear; to rend.
He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; he hath made me desolate.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Pull
To gather with the hand, or by drawing toward one; to pluck; as, to pull fruit; to pull flax; to pull a finch.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Pull
To move or operate by the motion of drawing towards one; as, to pull a bell; to pull an oar.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
To hold back, and so prevent from winning; as, the favorite was pulled.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Pull
To take or make, as a proof or impression; - hand presses being worked by pulling a lever.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
To exert one's self in an act or motion of drawing or hauling; to tug; as, to pull at a rope.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
The act of pulling or drawing with force; an effort to move something by drawing toward one.
I awakened with a violent pull upon the ring which was fastened at the top of my box.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
A pluck; loss or violence suffered.
Two pulls at once;His lady banished, and a limb lopped off.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
A knob, handle, or lever, etc., by which anything is pulled; as, a drawer pull; a bell pull.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
Something in one's favor in a comparison or a contest; an advantage; means of influencing; as, in weights the favorite had the pull.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
A kind of stroke by which a leg ball is sent to the off side, or an off ball to the side.
The pull is not a legitimate stroke, but bad cricket.
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
The act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you;
The pull up the hill had him breathing harder
His strenuous pulling strained his back
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
Special advantage or influence;
The chairman's nephew has a lot of pull
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
A device used for pulling something;
He grabbed the pull and opened the drawer
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
A sharp strain on muscles or ligaments;
The wrench to his knee occurred as he fell
He was sidelined with a hamstring pull
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
A slow inhalation (as of tobacco smoke);
He took a puff on his pipe
He took a drag on his cigarette and expelled the smoke slowly
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
Direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes;
Her good looks attract the stares of many men
The ad pulled in many potential customers
This pianist pulls huge crowds
The store owner was happy that the ad drew in many new customers
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Pull
Apply force so as to cause motion towards the source of the motion;
Pull the rope
Pull the handle towards you
Pull the string gently
Pull the trigger of the gun
Pull your kneees towards your chin
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Pull
Perform an act, usually with a negative connotation;
Perpetrate a crime
Pull a bank robbery
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
Bring, take, or pull out of a container or from under a cover;
Draw a weapon
Pull out a gun
The mugger pulled a knife on his victim
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
Steer into a certain direction;
Pull one's horse to a stand
Pull the car over
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
Strain abnormally;
I pulled a muscle in my leg when I jumped up
The athlete pulled a tendon in the competition
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
Cause to move in a certain direction by exerting a force upon, either physically or in an abstract sense;
A declining dollar pulled down the export figures for the last quarter
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
Tear or be torn violently;
The curtain ripped from top to bottom
Pull the cooked chicken into strips
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
Hit in the direction that the player is facing when carrying through the swing;
Pull the ball
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Oct 19, 2023
Pull
Draw or pull out, usually with some force or effort; also used in an abstract sense;
Pull weeds
Extract a bad tooth
Take out a splinter
Extract information from the telegram
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Pull
Take sides with; align oneself with; show strong sympathy for;
We all rooted for the home team
I'm pulling for the underdog
Are you siding with the defender of the title?
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Pull
An act of taking in a draft of smoke.
He took a long pull from his cigarette.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 10, 2023
Pull
To withdraw from participation.
He decided to pull from the race due to injury.
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Nov 10, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does it mean to pull something?
To exert force on it to move it toward yourself.
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Nov 23, 2023
How often are polls conducted?
It varies, from daily tracking to less frequent intervals.
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Nov 23, 2023
Is pull always a physical action?
No, it can also refer to an influence or attraction.
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Nov 23, 2023
Do polls influence elections?
They can, by affecting public perception and media coverage.
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Nov 23, 2023
Is there a phrase "pull together"?
Yes, it means to work collectively towards a goal.
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Nov 23, 2023
What does "pull in" mean?
To arrive at a destination, especially for vehicles.
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Nov 23, 2023
What's a political poll?
A survey measuring public opinion on political matters.
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Nov 23, 2023
What is an exit poll?
A survey of voters taken immediately after they've voted.
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Nov 23, 2023
How are poll results reported?
Typically in percentages or as a count of responses.
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Nov 23, 2023
Are online polls accurate?
They can be skewed and are less controlled than scientific polls.
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Nov 23, 2023
What's the meaning of "pull apart"?
To dissect or to cause to separate into pieces.
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Nov 23, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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