pulled off the impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

'pulled off the impossible' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to someone who has achieved something that was thought to be impossible. For example, "When no one thought it was possible, John pulled off the impossible and won the marathon in record time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

And, more important, how had the Astros pulled off the impossible?" -- Amazon.com.

Stanford University

Fearing political purgatory in Israel's March 17th elections, the three parties pulled off the impossible and joined forces to create a single bloc, the Joint List.

The Economist

Marbury, who gave the future Hall of Famer John Stockton fits, nearly pulled off the impossible by sinking two 3-pointers in the final minute.

The New York Times - Sports

The choir pulled off the impossible feat of following Bishop Michael Curry's fanfare of a sermon, with Gibson controlling her own and the singers' passions to bring calmness before the wedding vows.

The Guardian

From the highs of Hamburg to the anguish in Ankara, the story of Billy Bingham's brave men warms the sporting soul, as the underdogs nearly pulled off the impossible.

The Guardian - Sport

Now it has some, from an obscure firm that has pulled off the impossible: crashproofing Windows.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Did Microsoft just pull off the impossible?

The New York Times

David was blessed with a stratospheric confidence and insouciance about pulling off the impossible.

Independent

He pulled out a notebook and district by district explained how the Republicans would pull off the impossible and recapture the House.

The New York Times

For several days the players have done the math, thinking of scenarios in which they can pull off the impossible.

The New York Times - Sports

Herzog pulls off the impossible task of improving on Murnau's classic, with ample help from Kinski.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pulled off the impossible" to express admiration or surprise when someone has achieved something that was considered highly unlikely or unfeasible.

Common error

Avoid using "pulled off the impossible" to describe ordinary achievements. Reserve this phrase for situations that genuinely defy expectations and present significant challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pulled off the impossible" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as the predicate of a sentence. It expresses the action of successfully achieving something that was considered highly improbable or unachievable. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pulled off the impossible" is a grammatically sound and widely understood phrase used to express astonishment and admiration for achieving what seemed highly unlikely, as Ludwig AI confirms. While appropriate for many contexts, from news reporting to general writing, reserving it for truly exceptional achievements is advisable. More formal or scientific settings may benefit from choosing synonyms with more elevated vocabulary. Frequent in News & Media, but less common in academic writing, understanding the phrase's nuances helps to effectively convey a sense of wonder and respect for extraordinary accomplishments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieved the unachievable

Focuses on the inherent impossibility, emphasizing the accomplishment's magnitude.

accomplished the unthinkable

Highlights the surprising and unexpected nature of the accomplishment.

managed the unmanageable

Suggests a situation that was out of control or exceptionally challenging to handle.

overcame insurmountable odds

Emphasizes the significant obstacles that were conquered.

defied all expectations

Highlights the contrast between what was anticipated and what actually happened.

succeeded against the odds

General term for achieving success despite facing difficulties.

triumphed over adversity

Focuses on overcoming hardship and difficult conditions.

beat the odds

A more colloquial expression for succeeding despite low probability.

turned the tables

Implies a reversal of fortune or an unexpected change in outcome.

came through against expectations

Highlights the unexpected nature of the success achieved.

FAQs

How can I use "pulled off the impossible" in a sentence?

This phrase is typically used to express admiration or surprise at someone's accomplishment of a highly improbable task. For example, "Against all odds, the team "pulled off the impossible" and won the championship."

What can I say instead of "pulled off the impossible"?

You can use alternatives like "achieved the unachievable", "accomplished the unthinkable", or "succeeded against the odds" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "pulled off the impossible" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the tone of your formal writing. More formal alternatives might include phrases that convey a similar meaning with a slightly more sophisticated vocabulary, such as "overcame insurmountable odds" or "defied all expectations".

What's the difference between "pulled off the impossible" and "nearly pulled off the impossible"?

"Pulled off the impossible" means that someone successfully completed a task deemed impossible. "Nearly pulled off the impossible" means they came close to achieving it but ultimately did not succeed.