What does "pull off" mean?
Main meaning - to succeed at something difficult:"I can't believe they pulled it off." (succeeded against the odds)"She pulled off an incredible deal.""Do you think we can pull this off?" (achieve it successfully)This is the most important meaning in modern English - the sense of achieving someth...
Main meaning - to succeed at something difficult
"I can't believe they pulled it off." (succeeded against the odds)
"She pulled off an incredible deal."
"Do you think we can pull this off?" (achieve it successfully)
This is the most important meaning in modern English - the sense of achieving something that seemed unlikely or required skill.
Also - to remove or detach
"Pull off the sticker." (remove)
"He pulled off his coat."
And - to drive off a road
"We pulled off the motorway to get fuel."
Separable
"Pull off the stunt." β / "Pull the stunt off." β / "Pull it off." β
What it implies (success meaning)
Emphasis on the difficulty or surprise. You don't "pull off" something easy - you "pull off" a bold plan, a tough negotiation, an impressive performance.
A native would say
- "Manage it" - "Do you think you can manage it?"
- "Carry it off" - similar, slightly more British
- "Make it work" - "Somehow, they made it work."
- "Bring it off" - old-fashioned version
What does "pull off" mean?
Emphasis on the difficulty or surprise. You don't "pull off" something easy - you "pull off" a bold plan, a tough negotiation, an impressive performance.
What's another way to say "pull off"?
- "Manage it" - "Do you think you can manage it?"
- "Carry it off" - similar, slightly more British
- "Make it work" - "Somehow, they made it work."
- "Bring it off" - old-fashioned version
Phrasal verbs are one of the hardest parts of English to master.
LLH Tutor explains them in plain language, so you know exactly when and how to use each one.
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