Hauled
hɔːld
Definitions
3 meaningsTo pull or drag something heavy with effort.
hɔːld
To pull or drag with effort or force.
The fishermen hauled the nets out of the water.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a really heavy suitcase at the airport. Hauling is when you have to drag it and use all your strength to move it, like pulling a heavy box. The truck had to haul a heavy trailer. The little boy had to haul his toys out of the yard.
👶 For kids: To pull something heavy.
More Examples
They hauled the piano up the stairs.
The train hauled a long line of carriages.
How It's Used
"The truck hauled the heavy cargo across the desert."
"We hauled the groceries into the house after shopping."
To transport or convey something or someone, often over a distance.
hɔːld
To transport something or someone.
The freight train hauled goods across the country.
💡 Simply: Think about a truck delivering packages; it's hauling them from one place to another. My mom hauled me to the doctors. The company hauled the products over to the warehouse.
👶 For kids: To take something or someone from one place to another.
More Examples
The bus hauled the students to school every morning.
The ship was hauling a cargo of grain.
How It's Used
"The company hauled goods across state lines."
"The taxi hauled passengers to the airport."
To change the direction of a ship or boat.
hɔːld
To change direction quickly or unexpectedly.
The sailors hauled the sails to catch the wind.
💡 Simply: Imagine a boat having to quickly change direction to avoid something.
👶 For kids: To turn a boat.
More Examples
She hauled the boat towards shore.
How It's Used
"The ship hauled to starboard to avoid the iceberg."
Idioms & expressions
haul someone over the coals
To criticize or reprimand someone severely.
"The boss hauled him over the coals for the mistake."
From Middle English haled, past participle of halen ('to pull, drag'), from Old English *gehalian (in compounds), from Proto-Germanic *halōną ('to pull, drag'). Related to Old Norse hala ('to pull').
Historically, 'haul' was primarily associated with pulling or dragging objects. The meaning of transporting something developed later. Used in nautical contexts to describe adjusting sails and course.
Memory tip
Think of a strong horse pulling a cart; it's hauling!