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Grammar fix

pull off

achieve something difficult

to succeed in doing something that is difficult or unexpected, especially when others thought it was unlikely.

phrasal verbC1occasional

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • No one thought the underdog team could pull off a win, but they surprised everyone.work
  • In my opinion, it takes a lot of determination to pull off a successful business launch, especially in a competitive market.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: pull off something | pull something off

WrongI can't believe they pulled off it.

RightI can't believe they pulled it off.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'pull it off'.

Patternpull off something | pull something off

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Against considerable odds, they succeeded in accomplishing the feat.

Natural Somehow they pulled it off.

'Pull off' is the natural way to say you achieved something tough; the formal version is overblown.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • pull off + feat
    it offa winthe deala surprise

Don't confuse it

Unlike the literal sense of 'pull off' (e.g., to remove something by pulling), this sense is figurative and refers to accomplishing something difficult.

Try it in Daily Speak →