pull one's head in

== English == === Etymology === Perhaps from the habit of soldiers poking their heads out of army troop trains to make smart remarks, or in reference to a turtle drawing its head inside its shell for protection. Australian from circa 1930. === Pronunciation === === Verb === pull one's head in (third-person singular simple present pulls one's head in, present participle pulling one's head in, simple past and past participle pulled one's head in) (figurative, Australia, New Zealand) To withdraw; to discontinue what one is doing or saying; to back off. ==== See also ==== stick one's neck out wind one's neck in