pulling off a miracle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pulling off a miracle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to somebody achieving something extraordinary, such as completing a difficult task despite bad odds. For example, "The emergency medical team was able to pull off a miracle and save the patient's life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Never was that more evident than when he dashed down the fairway after pulling off a miracle 6-iron from next to a tree on the 16th hole.

The New York Times - Sports

His exquisite finish on Wednesday ended Manchester City's hopes of pulling off a miracle and confirmed a gap in class that, despite the English club's vast wealth, may take years to close.

BBC

While the U.S. has tacitly supported the coalition forces in the three-year war in Yemen, its reaction to the latest crisis has been muted, and Johnsen believes that because the U.S. has stepped aside, "Griffiths is now the only person possible of pulling off a miracle.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Option 2: Ken pulls off a miracle.

The Guardian - Opinion

Last night Hendo pulled off a miracle win.

Independent

Madrid had five minutes left to pull off a miracle.

The Guardian - Sport

Spieth struggled and wound up needing to pull off a miracle with his final two chips.

The New York Times - Sports

"If the crisis ends up well, the E.C.B. will have pulled off a miracle.

The New York Times

Last year, they pulled off a miracle to turn a disappointing season into an unlikely finals berth.

The Guardian - Sport

Villatora said "Tony pulled off a miracle" in the 2010 election, which resulted in a hung parliament.

The Guardian

His losses in Virginia and Washington make his prospects look bleak unless he can pull off a miracle next week in New York and California.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pulling off a miracle" to describe a situation where success was highly improbable, emphasizing the unexpected and almost unbelievable nature of the achievement.

Common error

Avoid using "pulling off a miracle" too frequently. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Reserve it for truly exceptional situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pulling off a miracle" functions as a verb phrase, specifically an idiom. It describes the action of successfully achieving something that seemed highly improbable or impossible, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the accomplishment. Ludwig confirms that this is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pulling off a miracle" is a correct and usable idiom that conveys the successful achievement of something highly improbable. As shown in the examples provided by Ludwig, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts to describe unexpected victories or successes against all odds. While grammatically sound and widely understood, it should be used judiciously to maintain its impact and avoid sounding hyperbolic. Consider alternatives such as "achieving the impossible" or "succeeding against all odds" for variety and to tailor the expression to the specific context. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieving the impossible

Focuses on the seemingly unattainable nature of the achievement.

accomplishing the extraordinary

Highlights the exceptional nature of the accomplishment.

succeeding against all odds

Emphasizes the unfavorable circumstances overcome.

performing a feat of wonder

Emphasizes the wonder and amazement the achievement inspires.

achieving a stunning victory

Highlights the unexpected and impressive nature of the triumph.

making a dream come true

Focuses on the realization of a long-held aspiration.

defying expectations

Emphasizes the act of going against what was predicted.

overcoming insurmountable obstacles

Focuses on the difficulty and scale of the challenges faced.

conjuring a triumph

Implies a magical or unexpected element to the success.

snatching victory from the jaws of defeat

Highlights the near-loss situation before the ultimate success.

FAQs

How can I use "pulling off a miracle" in a sentence?

You can use "pulling off a miracle" to describe an unexpected success, such as "The team was praised for "pulling off a miracle" and winning the championship despite being the underdogs".

What is the difference between "pulling off a miracle" and "achieving the impossible"?

"Pulling off a miracle" implies a degree of luck or unexpected intervention, while "achieving the impossible" emphasizes sheer determination and effort in reaching a seemingly unattainable goal.

Are there any formal alternatives to "pulling off a miracle"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "accomplishing the extraordinary" or "achieving a stunning victory" to maintain a professional tone.

What kind of events does the phrase "pulling off a miracle" typically describe?

The phrase "pulling off a miracle" is often used to describe unexpected victories in sports, successful rescues in disaster situations, or breakthroughs in scientific research that defy expectations.