haul
This word evokes a sense of physical strain and heavy labor. When used as a verb for pulling, it suggests a slow, laborious movement against resistance, contrasting with a quick pull or a light tug. In the context of transportation, it implies the movement of bulk materials or heavy loads, often associated with industrial trucking.
As a noun, the term shifts from the effort of moving to the result of the effort. It frequently describes a collective amount of gathered items, such as a fisherman's catch or a thief's loot, emphasizing the volume of the acquisition. When referring to distance, it characterizes the journey as a taxing or lengthy endurance test.
Meanings
To pull or drag something heavy with a lot of effort.
They had to haul the heavy trunk up the stairs.
To transport goods or people over a distance, typically in a truck or ship.
The company hauls gravel from the quarry to the construction site.
The act of pulling or dragging something heavy.
It took a great haul to get the boat onto the beach.
Phrasal Verbs
haul in
to catch or capture a large amount of something, such as fish or money
The trawlers managed to haul in several tons of cod during the overnight trip.
haul away
to remove something bulky or unwanted from a location
The city council sent a truck to haul away the debris after the storm.
haul around
to carry something heavy or cumbersome from place to place
I spent the entire weekend hauling around heavy boxes of books for the move.
haul back
to pull something back to a starting point or return it
The sailors had to haul back the sails as the wind intensified.
haul off
to strike someone suddenly and violently
He suddenly hauled off and punched the man in the face.