carry off
verb
carried off; carrying off; carries off
1
: to cause the death of
the plague carried off thousands
2
: to perform or manage successfully : bring off
tried to look suave but couldn't carry it off
Synonyms
Examples of carry off in a Sentence
the con artist would never have been able to carry off his schemes if it were not for the greed of his eager victims
pray that the pestilence does not carry off any more souls than it already has
Recent Examples on the Web
In the 2020 election, the NLD carried off an even more resounding victory than before.
—
Timothy McLaughlin, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024
Blending two styles in one—minimal styling is necessary to carry off these looks.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2023
Both times she was carried off the floor by her sister, Kellan, a senior.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024
On the red carpet of the Brits, the British singer captivated in a striking outfit that only a pop icon could carry off this effortlessly.
—Alex Kessler, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2024
Genetically different trees can pollinate each other and start to make fruits, which are carried off by birds.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Feb. 2024
The panels were solid rail Mustang panels and would have been difficult for just one person to carry off, according to Meagher.
—The Arizona Republic, 28 Jan. 2024
Once inside, the burglars ransack the homes, carrying off cash, jewelry, even safes.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024
The last graves would not be removed until 1947, but most had already been carried off to two of the city’s haphazard pantheons: Evergreen, in Boyle Heights, founded in 1877, and Rosedale-Angelus, opened in 1884 in the then-faraway neighborhood of West Adams.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024
Timothy McLaughlin, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024
Blending two styles in one—minimal styling is necessary to carry off these looks.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2023
Both times she was carried off the floor by her sister, Kellan, a senior.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024
On the red carpet of the Brits, the British singer captivated in a striking outfit that only a pop icon could carry off this effortlessly.
—Alex Kessler, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2024
Genetically different trees can pollinate each other and start to make fruits, which are carried off by birds.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Feb. 2024
The panels were solid rail Mustang panels and would have been difficult for just one person to carry off, according to Meagher.
—The Arizona Republic, 28 Jan. 2024
Once inside, the burglars ransack the homes, carrying off cash, jewelry, even safes.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024
The last graves would not be removed until 1947, but most had already been carried off to two of the city’s haphazard pantheons: Evergreen, in Boyle Heights, founded in 1877, and Rosedale-Angelus, opened in 1884 in the then-faraway neighborhood of West Adams.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'carry off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1640, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Dictionary Entries Near carry off
Cite this Entry
“Carry off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carry%20off. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on carry off
Britannica English: Translation of carry off for Arabic Speakers
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