Pulls oneself back! (4)
I believe the answer is:
rows
'pulls' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rows that I've seen before include "Rackets" , "Angry disputes" , "Columns" , "Uses oars" , "emotional exchanges" .)