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.

---

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

---

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]

---

Etymology

Origin of pull-off

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

Example Sentences

However, if the U.S. is really going to pull-off such a massive shift in its energy supply, it can’t wait and lollygag around.

From Slate • Sep. 16, 2021

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

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

McLeod gave a number of reasons for the decision, including the lack of a designated pull-off area for vehicles.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 25, 2017

Each variety should be sterilised and stored in a separate cylindrical copper case some 36 by 6 cm., with "pull-off" lid, upon which is stamped, in plain figures, the capacity of the contained pipettes.

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