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Ant_222 Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
"...hauled the eastern door to..."
Hello all!
This time I have come upon a phrase the meaning whereof had totally evaded me at first:
«Boromir hauled the eastern door to, grinding upon its hinges: it had great iron rings on
either side, but could not be fastened.»
Although form the context I could make out that Boromir was probably pulling one of the rings so as to foil the enemies' getting in, but I still do not understand the structure of this phrase "hauled the door to". What is the function of the "to"?
If "haul" is used as a transitive verb, then "to" can not be related to "door". But then, what does it refer to?
Thanks in advance,
Anton
This time I have come upon a phrase the meaning whereof had totally evaded me at first:
«Boromir hauled the eastern door to, grinding upon its hinges: it had great iron rings on
either side, but could not be fastened.»
Although form the context I could make out that Boromir was probably pulling one of the rings so as to foil the enemies' getting in, but I still do not understand the structure of this phrase "hauled the door to". What is the function of the "to"?
If "haul" is used as a transitive verb, then "to" can not be related to "door". But then, what does it refer to?
Thanks in advance,
Anton
Top answer
To pull a door to - means to shut it but probably not completely - it may be touching the door frame but not securely closed. For example, if I want to go out to my car to get something, I might pull my front door to, meaning that it isn't properly shut but is lightly 'jammed' into the frame - that way it looks closed at a quick look but I don't need to take my key to unlock it again as I can just push it open. Saves messing about with my keys when I'm only going to be a few seconds but it's more secure (and warmer) than just leaving the door open.
- To pull a door to - means to shut it but probably not completely - it may be touching the door frame but not securely closed.
- For example, if I want to go out to my car to get something, I might pull my front door to, meaning that it isn't properly shut but is lightly 'jammed' into the frame - that way it looks closed at a quick look but I don't need to take my key to unlock it again as I can just push it open.
- Saves messing about with my keys when I'm only going to be a few seconds but it's more secure (and warmer) than just leaving the door open.
- The fact that Boromir cannot fasten the door or make it secure is the reason it is used here.
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4 Answers
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To pull a door to - means to shut it but probably not completely - it may be touching the door frame but not securely closed. For example, if I want to go out to my car to get something, I might pull my front door to, meaning that it isn't properly shut but is lightly 'jammed' into the frame - that way it looks closed at a quick look but I don't need to take my key to unlock it again as I can jus
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That was Nona. I would not have given nearly as good an explanation!
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Oh, my head is spinning. Sorry, Nona and you, GG! Sometimes I am is such a hurry ((
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