pull-off

American  

[pool-awf, -of] / ˈpʊlˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

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.

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pull off British  

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

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pull off Idioms  

1. 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]

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Etymology

Origin of pull-off

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

Example Sentences

State highway officials would later consider the developer’s application for a delivery truck pull-off area on a state road, which is critical to the project advancing.

From Washington Post • Sep. 15, 2021

After allowing a walk, he was directed by the umpires to change his pull-off sleeves from light gray to navy blue to match his teammates.

From Seattle Times • May 27, 2019

T.J. and John parked at a pull-off, stepped out of the truck and fired up their snowmobiles.

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2018

It is not so much a town as a pull-off on the side of the road.

From Slate • Dec. 4, 2017

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

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 530, February 27, 1886 by Various

Related Words

• achieve
• bring off
• manage