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Meaning & use

pull off

verb·Everydayinformal

Last updated

UK/ˌpʊl ˈɒf/
US/ˌpʊl ˈɔːf/

Meanings

  1. verbphrasal verbinformal

    To succeed in doing something difficult or unlikely.

    Grammar: Takes an object, which can come between: pull the plan off.

    Patterns

    • pull something off

    Nobody thought they could pull the surprise party off.

    She pulled off a stunning comeback in the final set.

    It was a risky trick, but he pulled it off.

  2. verbphrasal verb

    To leave the road, or move a vehicle to the side or off a main road.

    Grammar: Often no object, followed by a place: pull off the highway.

    Patterns

    • pull off the road
    • pull off at something

    We pulled off the highway to buy gas.

    The truck pulled off onto the shoulder.

    Pull off at the next exit for food.

  3. verbphrasal verb

    To remove something by tugging it away from a surface or body.

    Grammar: Takes an object: pull off your boots.

    Patterns

    • pull something off
    • pull something off something

    He pulled off his wet boots at the door.

    She pulled the label off the jar.

    Don't pull the bandage off too fast.

Word forms

third person singularpulls off
past tensepulled off
past participlepulled off
-ing formpulling off

Common combinations

pull off a victory
The underdogs pulled off a shock victory.
pull off a trick
The magician pulled off a hard trick.
pull off a look
Not everyone can pull off a bright hat.
pull off the road
Pull off the road if you feel tired.
pull off a deal
They pulled off a deal worth millions.

Synonyms and how they differ

manage
Manage is plain and neutral, while pull off stresses that the achievement was surprising or difficult.
achieve
Achieve is more formal and does not suggest the cleverness or risk that pull off does.
accomplish
Accomplish is formal and suits big tasks; pull off sounds chattier and hints at flair.
remove
Remove is the neutral word for taking something away, whereas pull off adds the sense of tugging.

Opposites

failbotch

Word family

pull verb
to draw something toward you
pull out phrasal verb
to withdraw or take something out
pull over phrasal verb
to stop a vehicle at the roadside
pull through phrasal verb
to survive a difficulty

Commonly confused: pull off or pull over?

pull off vs pull over

Pull over means to stop at the side of the road, usually because you are told to. Pull off is used more generally for leaving the road.

Practice

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