pull off a coup

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pull off a coup" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a dramatic, unexpected accomplishment. For example: "The underdog team was able to pull off a coup, winning the championship against all odds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

I don't know that there is anyone inside the country who could pull off a coup.

Princeton University

Mr Bush looks unlikely to pull off a coup of Reaganesque proportions.

The Economist

The members of the Federation Council accused Mr. Putin of trying to subvert Russia's Constitution and pull off a coup.

The New York Times

C1 A Coup for Paramount Brad Grey, the chairman of Paramount Pictures, managed to pull off a coup by snatching DreamWorks SKG from NBC-Universal.

The New York Times

There are relatively few things that the Polish regime of Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski seems to know how to do right(the Polish economy, for example, is an utter shambles)but one of them is how to pull off a coup.

The New Yorker

So it was no surprise that the first thing the Sudanese government did on Sunday was to break off relations with Chad, which Sudanese officials accused of backing the rebels and trying to pull off a coup.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

I think he has pulled off a coup.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In fact, they make a strong mother-daughter team, accomplices who have pulled off a coup.

The New York Times

Not long ago, Simon pulled off a coup that only he could have.

The New Yorker

The Big East pulled off a coup by maintaining its Bowl Championship Series bid.

The New York Times - Sports

If he goes to City they've pulled off a coup.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pull off a coup" to describe situations where someone achieves a surprising and significant success, especially against expectations or in competitive environments.

Common error

Avoid using "pull off a coup" for minor achievements or everyday successes. The phrase implies a significant strategic advantage or unexpected win. Reserve it for truly remarkable accomplishments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pull off a coup" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically acting as the predicate, describing the action of successfully achieving something difficult or unexpected. The Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pull off a coup" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression to describe successfully achieving something difficult or unexpected. Ludwig AI validates its appropriate usage in written English. It frequently appears in News & Media, highlighting significant strategic gains. While versatile, it's best reserved for remarkable accomplishments rather than trivial successes. Related phrases include "achieve a major success" or "engineer a triumph", but "pull off a coup" carries a stronger sense of surprise and strategic intent. The authoritative sources for this phrase includes The New York Times, The Guardian and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieve a major success

This alternative directly states the accomplishment without implying a surprise or unexpected element.

score a major victory

Similar to achieving success, but emphasizes winning or triumphing over opposition.

engineer a triumph

Emphasizes skillful planning and execution leading to a positive outcome.

accomplish a feat

Focuses on the difficulty and skill required to achieve something remarkable.

secure a triumph

Highlights obtaining victory, often after a struggle.

execute a masterstroke

Implies brilliance and precision in the execution of a plan.

chalk up a win

An informal way of saying 'achieve a victory'.

make a breakthrough

Highlights overcoming an obstacle to achieve a significant advancement.

gain an advantage

Highlights achieving a tactical edge.

dominate the game

Highlights achieving an overall win over the competition.

FAQs

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

You can use "pull off a coup" to describe unexpectedly succeeding in a difficult situation. For example, "The small company "managed to pull off a coup" by securing the major contract."

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

To "pull off a coup" means to successfully achieve something unexpected or difficult, often implying a significant strategic advantage or victory.

Which is correct, "pull off a coup" or "pull a coup off"?

"Pull off a coup" is the correct and idiomatic phrasing. "Pull a coup off" is not commonly used and sounds awkward.

What can I say instead of "pull off a coup"?

You can use alternatives such as "achieve a major success", "score a major victory", or "engineer a triumph" depending on the specific context.