PULL FACE Meaning and
Definition
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The phrase "pull face" refers to making a contorted or exaggerated facial expression, usually to convey a specific emotion, reaction, or mood, primarily for the purpose of entertainment or communication. This term is commonly used in informal or colloquial contexts and is often associated with children or playful behavior.
When someone "pulls a face," they intentionally distort their facial features by scrunching their forehead, raising or lowering their eyebrows, twisting their mouth, or altering their eyes, among other actions. The objective is typically to convey amusement, disgust, surprise, or mockery, among various other emotions or expressions. Pulling a face can also be used as an exaggerated imitation of someone else's facial expression or mannerisms.
Moreover, "pulling faces" can serve as a non-verbal form of communication, often used to communicate disagreement, dissatisfaction, or frustration. This action can be accompanied by additional body language or vocalization to enhance the intended message.
The term "pull face" has also been extended metaphorically to refer to expressing negative emotions or displeasure in a non-physical sense. It can describe conveying one's dissatisfaction or disagreement through speech or writing, emphasizing the emotional intensity of the communication.
Overall, "pull face" captures the act of intentionally manipulating one's facial muscles to create a distorted expression for various purposes, ranging from amusement and imitation to conveying emotions or communicating non-verbally.
Etymology of PULL FACE
The phrase "pull face" is an idiomatic expression that originated in British English, particularly in colloquial speech. It is derived from the verb "pull" meaning to exert force or draw something closer, combined with the noun "face" referring to one's facial expression.
The etymology of "pull face" is not recorded, but it is likely an extension of the phrase "pull a face", which has been in use since the 19th century. "Pull a face" means to distort one's facial features or make an exaggerated expression to convey a particular emotion or communicate disapproval.
Over time, "pull a face" evolved into "pull face", which is a shortened form commonly used today. It has retained the same meaning, indicating the act of making a funny, distorted, or exaggerated facial expression. The word "pull" in this context suggests the action of physically manipulating one's face in a particular way.
