pull off

succeed in doing something difficult

B2

What does "pull sth off" mean?

To pull off something means to succeed at a task that was difficult, risky, or seemed unlikely to work out. The achievement involved is typically impressive or surprising — the kind of thing that makes people say 'I can't believe they actually did it.' The phrasal verb carries a built-in sense of difficulty: you wouldn't use it for routine or easy successes, only for feats that required real effort, skill, or a bit of luck. It's equally at home in casual conversation, sports commentary, and business reporting, making it a versatile and widely used expression. Adverbs like 'somehow', 'actually', and 'just' appear alongside it very naturally, reinforcing that sense of surprise or disbelief.

Examples

How to use it

pull off + achievement

The most common pattern, used when the object is a noun phrase describing a feat, deal, or accomplishment.

The startup managed to pull off a deal that bigger companies had failed to secure for years.

pull + pronoun + off

When the object is a pronoun, it must go between 'pull' and 'off' — placing it after 'off' is not acceptable.

Everyone said the plan was too ambitious, but somehow they pulled it off.

pull + noun object + off

With shorter noun phrases, the object can also be placed between the verb and particle for natural-sounding emphasis.

The negotiating team pulled the agreement off at the very last minute.

achievement + be pulled off

The passive form is possible, especially in written contexts where the focus is on the feat rather than the person who achieved it.

The comeback was pulled off by a team that had been written off before the tournament even started.

manage to / be able to + pull off + achievement

Commonly combined with 'manage to' or 'be able to' to emphasise the difficulty involved in succeeding.

She was somehow able to pull off a flawless presentation with barely any preparation time.

Common Collocations

pull off a dealpull off a victorypull off an upsetpull it offpull off a stuntpull off the impossible

Common Mistakes

Pronoun after 'off'

When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must come between 'pull' and 'off', never after. Placing the pronoun after 'off' sounds unnatural and is considered incorrect.

✗ They trained hard and finally pulled off it.
✓ They trained hard and finally pulled it off.
Using it for easy achievements

'Pull off' implies the task was genuinely difficult or unlikely to succeed. Using it for simple or routine achievements sounds odd, because the phrasal verb sets up an expectation of real challenge.

✗ She pulled off making a cup of tea.
✓ She pulled off a last-minute deal that no one thought was possible.
Confusing with 'carry off'

'Carry off' is more common in British English and tends to describe doing something with style or confidence, particularly in performance or appearance. 'Pull off' is more broadly used for succeeding at any difficult task, regardless of style.

✗ He really carried off the impossible business negotiation.
✓ He really pulled off the impossible business negotiation.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both spoken and written English, including news articles and everyday conversation. It implies the task was difficult or unlikely to succeed, so avoid using it for simple achievements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'pull off' always mean something positive?

Yes — in this sense, it always describes a successful outcome. The achievement might be risky or morally ambiguous (like pulling off a bluff or a heist in a story), but the verb itself signals that the person succeeded. It doesn't describe failures or partial successes.

Can I say 'she is pulling off a great deal right now'?

This sounds a little awkward. 'Pull off' in this sense typically describes a completed achievement, so the simple past or present perfect tend to sound more natural. The present continuous can work if you're describing an ongoing process, but it's much less common than 'she pulled off a great deal' or 'she has pulled off a great deal'.

What kinds of things can be the object of 'pull off'?

The object is always an achievement, feat, or impressive outcome — things like a deal, a victory, an upset, a stunt, a comeback, or even 'the impossible'. It should never be a physical object being removed (that's a different sense of 'pull off') or a location.

Does 'pull off' have other meanings I should know about?

Yes, the same form can mean to remove something physically (like pulling off a label) or to steer a vehicle off the road. These senses are easy to tell apart from context — if the object is an achievement or feat, you're looking at this sense. The platform has separate entries for the other senses.

Is 'pull off' too informal for professional writing like business reports or articles?

Not at all — it's neutral enough to appear in business journalism, news articles, and everyday professional contexts. It's slightly more conversational than 'achieve' or 'accomplish', but it regularly appears in written English without sounding out of place.

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