pull off a caper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pull off a caper" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe successfully executing a mischievous or daring act, often involving theft or trickery. Example: "The group of friends managed to pull off a caper that left everyone in town talking about their audacious heist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He knows how to pull off a caper without making a big deal about it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But he also says the criticism "is like that of a thief who, after pulling off a caper, gripes that the incompetent police did not nab him".

The New York Times

Though the former is a comedy and the latter has tragic aspects, they're both caper movies and partner movies, with two men — one who has trouble and another who is trouble — pairing up to pull off a string of crimes that advance from the minor (nearly victimless and mostly bloodless) to the major (reckless and deadly).

The New Yorker

Can he pull off a repeat?

Forbes

Could families pull off a civil evening?

Huffington Post

You can even pull off a bikini.

Huffington Post

Pull off a piece of the bark.

WikiHow

Pull off a manual, and drag it.

WikiHow

Can Ireland pull off an amazing comeback?

The Guardian - Sport

As a pantomime romp, it pulls off a few diverting capers, but it lacks anything vaguely resembling a soul – a fatal flaw for this wannabe modern Prometheus.

The Guardian - Film

Snake Eyes pulls off a similar trick.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pull off a caper" when you want to convey the successful execution of a slightly mischievous or daring plan, often with a hint of humor or admiration.

Common error

While "pull off a caper" is acceptable in many situations, it might sound out of place in highly formal or serious writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "execute a plan" or "achieve a goal" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pull off a caper" is a verb phrase acting as a predicate, describing the action of successfully completing a daring or mischievous act. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, providing real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pull off a caper" is an idiomatic expression used to describe the successful execution of a daring or mischievous act. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, though it's more common in informal contexts such as news articles and general content rather than formal or professional settings. While "pull off a caper" suggests a successful and often humorous undertaking, it's important to consider the audience and setting when choosing this phrase, opting for more neutral alternatives like "execute a plan" or "achieve a goal" in more formal environments. Related phrases such as "execute a heist" and "carry out a scheme" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

execute a heist

Focuses on the act of successfully carrying out a robbery or theft.

carry out a scheme

Emphasizes the planning and execution of a secret or underhanded plan.

successfully perpetrate a crime

Highlights the successful commission of an illegal act.

manage to pull off a stunt

Implies a daring or risky act that is successfully completed.

bring off a trick

Focuses on the successful execution of a clever or deceptive act.

engineer a successful plot

Emphasizes the careful planning and execution of a scheme.

accomplish a daring feat

Highlights the achievement of something bold or audacious.

complete a bold undertaking

Focuses on finishing a challenging and risky project.

execute a daring plan

Highlights the execution aspect of a bold plan.

achieve a mischievous goal

Emphasizes the attainment of a playful or naughty objective.

FAQs

How can I use "pull off a caper" in a sentence?

You can use "pull off a caper" to describe successfully executing a mischievous or daring act, often involving theft or trickery. For instance, "The group of friends managed to pull off a caper that left everyone in town talking about their audacious heist."

What are some alternatives to "pull off a caper"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "execute a heist" or "carry out a scheme".

Is "pull off a caper" formal or informal?

"Pull off a caper" is generally considered informal. It's best suited for casual conversations or writing that isn't overly serious. In more formal settings, opt for phrases like "successfully execute a plan."

What does it mean to "pull off a caper"?

To "pull off a caper" means to successfully execute a risky, often mischievous, and sometimes illegal act or scheme. It implies a level of cleverness and daring.