pull off
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle off
Meanings
Succeed at something difficult
Why “off”? The effort succeeds. It moves from an attempt to a result.
“She pulled off a difficult performance.”
“They pulled off the rescue in heavy rain.”
Don't confuse with
Pull off means succeed at a difficult task. Pull up means stop a vehicle.
Test yourself
“She pulled off a difficult performance.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
pull up
A contrast learners often mix up
Stop a vehicle or come to a halt; Lift something upward by pulling; Stop and gently rebuke someone; Display data or a record on a screen; Improve a position or score quickly; Move a chair closer so you can sit; Pull plants out of the ground by the roots
bring off
Same off pattern: success
Achieve something difficult successfully
carry off
Same off pattern: success
Successfully do something difficult
come off
Same off pattern: success
Become detached from something; Happen successfully as planned; Stop taking a medicine or substance; Give a particular impression to others; Be withdrawn from sale or service
pay off
Same off pattern: success
Be successful or worthwhile in the end
take off
Same off pattern: success
Remove clothing or accessories; Leave the ground (aircraft); Become suddenly successful
pull ahead
Same base verb: pull
Move in front of others in a race or competition
pull apart
Same base verb: pull
Separate two people or things by force
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