pulling off a surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

"pulling off a surprise" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe successfully executing a surprise or unexpected action or event. Example: After weeks of planning, the team was able to pull off a surprise party for their boss's birthday.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Pre-debate polls had showed Kasich moving up in New Hampshire, so his chances of pulling off a surprise on Tuesday can't be entirely dismissed.

The New Yorker

A long shot But the botched coup has hampered Labour's already slim chances of pulling off a surprise victory in May.

The Guardian - Business

Like a boxer roaming the ring in search of one final roundhouse round, Barack Obama alighted again and again in Indiana in the past few days in hopes of pulling off a surprise in this Midwestern state.

The New York Times

Having lived through the shock of the Brexit vote, some Britons watching the U.S. election believe it could go the same way, with Trump pulling off a surprise, and the pollsters and pundits being humiliated.

The New Yorker

But Newt Gingrich is also showing signs of life, and at least one new poll suggests that Mitt Romney, widely written off as a WASP interloper, has hopes of pulling off a surprise victory.

The New Yorker

Mr McCain has demonstrated his strength among independents: he led the field among them by ten points in New York, 23 points in California and 31 points in Illinois.This gives him a chance of pulling off a surprise upset in the general election.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Nantes pulled off a surprise victory, beating Lille 1-0.

The Guardian - Sport

IN JANUARY, Stephen Harper pulled off a surprise election victory, ending a dozen years of Liberal rule.

The Economist

So if Labour could cobble together a coalition, it could yet pull off a surprise.

The Economist

As they had in Chicago, the Nets pulled off a surprise, winning impressively, 100-92.

The New York Times - Sports

As a byproduct of her dedication, she manages to pull off a surprise victory each season.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pulling off a surprise" when you want to emphasize the unexpected nature of an achievement or event, especially when the odds were stacked against it.

Common error

While acceptable in news and general writing, "pulling off a surprise" might be too informal for academic papers or highly formal business reports. Consider using more formal alternatives like "achieving an unexpected outcome" or "defying expectations" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

"Pulling off a surprise" functions as a verbal phrase describing the successful execution of an unexpected event or achievement. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its use in describing situations where someone overcomes challenges to achieve an improbable outcome, as evidenced in several examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Sport

11%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pulling off a surprise" describes the accomplishment of something unexpected, often against the odds. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and mostly appears in news and media, with a neutral formality level. While suitable for general use, it might be too informal for academic writing. For alternatives, consider "springing a surprise" or "defying expectations". Remember to use it when highlighting the unexpected nature of an achievement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

springing a surprise

Emphasizes the sudden and unexpected nature of the event.

achieving the unexpected

Focuses on the outcome being contrary to what was anticipated.

defying expectations

Highlights the act of going against what was predicted or believed.

accomplishing the improbable

Emphasizes the low likelihood of success.

staging an upset

Implies a victory against a favored opponent or established norm.

defying the odds

Highlights overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles to achieve a positive outcome.

delivering a shock

Focuses on the impact of the unexpected event, highlighting its startling effect.

managing the impossible

Suggests overcoming significant obstacles to achieve something thought to be unattainable.

turning the tables

Implies reversing a disadvantageous situation to gain an advantage.

producing a rabbit from a hat

Analogically implies delivering something seemingly from nothing.

FAQs

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

You can use "pulling off a surprise" to describe an unexpected achievement. For example: "The team succeeded in "achieving the unexpected" by "pulling off a surprise" victory."

What's a good alternative to "pulling off a surprise"?

Alternatives include "springing a surprise", "defying expectations", or "staging an upset", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "pulling off a surprise win" or "pulling off a surprise victory"?

"Pulling off a surprise win" and "pulling off a surprise victory" are very similar. "Win" is slightly more informal and commonly used, while "victory" is more formal, but both are acceptable.

What does it mean to "pull off" something?

To "pull off" something means to successfully execute or achieve something, often something difficult or unexpected. When you "pull off" something you are succeeding in doing it.