pull-off

[ pool-awf, -of ]

noun

1. an act of pulling off:

   The inn is well worth a pull-off from the Interstate.

2. a rest area at the side of a road where vehicles may park.

pull off

verb

1. to remove (clothing) forcefully
2. adverb to succeed in performing (a difficult feat)
3. intr (of a motor vehicle, driver, etc) to move to the side of the road and stop
4. intr (of a motor vehicle, driver, etc) to start to move

Word History and Origins

Origin of pull-off¹

First recorded in 1855–60; noun use of verb phrase pull off

Idioms and Phrases

Accomplish, bring off, especially in the face of difficulties or at the last minute. For example, I never thought we'd ever stage this play, but somehow we pulled it off . [ Colloquial ; second half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

Menzies pulled off two sides of the coin in “Outlander” —the loving, then grieving husband Frank alongside the horrific Black Jack — as well as a weary Prince Phillip in “The Crown.”

From Los Angeles Times

The result is an elegantly wrought documentary that pulls off the trick of leaving viewers sated yet also craving more.

From New York Times

City became only the second men's English team, after rivals Manchester United, to win the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup Treble when they pulled off that feat in 2022-23.

From BBC

The Clippers achieved their goals on defense, holding back the Warriors just enough to pull off a thrilling 102-99 win that wasn’t sealed until the final buzzer.

From Los Angeles Times

That was the larger question looming over the Trojans as they pulled off a bowl-saving victory on a sunny afternoon when a new quarterback and new resilience showed up for the same old coach.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• achieve
• bring off
• manage