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

The light pull-off enables a steady shooter to make surpassingly fine diagrams.

From Project Gutenberg

Most of the modern work reveals a tiny blue dot at the pull-off of the fine hair brush or pencil.

From Project Gutenberg

"My fingers are shaky, and this is a hard pull-off, or I'd have shown you the man who betrayed me," he said.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• achieve
• bring off
• manage