to pull this one off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to pull this one off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe successfully accomplishing a difficult task or achieving a goal, often against the odds. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced, we managed to pull this one off and complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Without leader Joe Flacco - who's sidelined with a season-ending injury - the birds managed to pull this one off and go to 4-7 on the year.

Huffington Post

I will only say mildy that you have to be a pretty good actress to pull this one off and a pretty dim detective not to spot it.

The Guardian

"We question Posco's ability to pull this one off".

Forbes

They've had your eye all night (and probably week, or, honestly, month) and you can definitely strike up a conversation with them long enough to hold interest, but how are you going to pull this one off?

Vice

All you have to do to pull this one off is take your standard long-haired biker look, add a huge swastika to the back of your vest or jacket (you can sub in an iron cross with the initials FTW in the top three arms if you're a pussy), and be Puerto Rican.

Vice

Their might be too much fuzz in the atmosphere for Northwestern to pull this one off.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"A lot of the anxiety, the daily angst, is generated by being self-centered and thinking, 'Oh, God, the whole world is waiting to see if I can pull this one off.' And it turns out that it just isn't that important.

The New York Times

All of which is to say that, if anyone on earth could pull this one off, it's Lynch himself.

The Guardian - Film

And I was hoping I could pull this one off without having to think.

The Guardian

Can the Bolívars pull this one off?

The Guardian - Music

So how do Tottenham pull this one off?

The Telegraph

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to pull this one off", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the level of formality. While generally acceptable, it's more suited for informal or neutral settings than highly formal or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "to pull this one off" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more formal alternatives like "to achieve this successfully" or "to accomplish this feat" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to pull this one off" functions as an idiomatic expression, serving as a verb phrase that describes the successful completion of a difficult or challenging task. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to pull this one off" is a commonly used idiomatic expression that signifies successfully completing a difficult task. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and finds frequent application in News & Media and Wiki contexts, though it's less suited for formal writing where alternatives like "to accomplish this successfully" might be more appropriate. The expression conveys a sense of achievement despite challenges, making it a versatile choice for various communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to manage this feat

Emphasizes the skill or effort required to achieve something difficult.

to accomplish this successfully

Highlights the successful completion of a task or goal.

to achieve this outcome

Focuses on attaining a specific result or objective.

to bring this to fruition

Implies nurturing something to a successful conclusion.

to execute this flawlessly

Stresses the precision and lack of errors in the completion.

to make this work

Suggests overcoming obstacles to ensure success.

to deliver this successfully

Highlights the act of providing or achieving something as expected.

to be able to do this

States the capability of someone to achieve something.

to get this done

Focuses on completing a task, often with a sense of urgency.

to navigate this successfully

Implies skillfully maneuvering through challenges to achieve success.

FAQs

What does "to pull this one off" mean?

The expression "to pull this one off" means to succeed in doing something difficult or unexpected. It often implies that there were significant challenges or doubts about the possibility of success.

What can I say instead of "to pull this one off"?

You can use alternatives like "to manage this feat", "to accomplish this successfully", or "to achieve this outcome" depending on the context.

Is "to pull this one off" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "to pull this one off" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, it's better to use phrases like "to successfully execute" or "to effectively achieve".

How to use "to pull this one off" in a sentence?

You can use "to pull this one off" in sentences like: "Despite the challenges, they managed "to pull this one off" and complete the project on time." or "It was a risky plan, but somehow, they managed "to pull this one off".".