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

Planning board members cited the state’s repeated denial of the proposed pull-off area along Carroll Avenue when they turned down D.C.-based Neighborhood Development Co.’s application.

From Washington Post • Jan. 27, 2022

As the paved highway winds through the Wood River Valley, there are multiple pull-off points to allow drivers to view the stars.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 2, 2021

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

From Slate • Dec. 4, 2017

An eyewitness tells authorities that a car driven John Kovalik of Berlin crossed a double yellow line and ran onto a paved pull-off area before hitting the snowbank and becoming airborne.

From Washington Times • Mar. 24, 2015

The opposite end is closed by a "pull-off" cap and is perforated around its edge by a row of ventilating holes, which correspond with holes cut in the rim of the cap.

From The Elements of Bacteriological Technique A Laboratory Guide for Medical, Dental, and Technical Students. Second Edition Rewritten and Enlarged. by Eyre, J. W. H. (John William Henry)

Related Words

• achieve
• bring off
• manage