pull off

verb

pulled off; pulling off; pulls off

transitive verb

: to carry out despite difficulties : accomplish successfully against odds
the team pulled off an upset

Examples of pull off in a Sentence

the rebel forces pulled off a surprisingly successful offensive against the better equipped government troops
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Of all of the casting coups that Anderson has pulled off over the years, the most impressive is still Mark Wahlberg’s turn as Dirk Diggler. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025 The six players – Caleb Choice-Sanchez, Syncere Poole, Declan Fitzpatrick, Ryland Hammond, Mikel Banks, and Quinn Ramsey – pulled off the victory during the 2025 Soul Symphony Weekend against the more experienced team from Cumming, Georgia. Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 25 Sep. 2025 Sweep the season-ending three-game series at loanDepot park — with a little outside help — and Miami could pull off the miracle. Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025 Kimmel acknowledged his frustration over being pulled off the air, but thanked Disney for ultimately reinstating him. Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pull off

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pull off was in 1883

Cite this Entry

“Pull off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pull%20off. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on pull off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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