trying to pull off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trying to pull off" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means attempting to accomplish or achieve something, often with difficulty or against obstacles. Example: She spent hours trying to pull off the perfect surprise party for her best friend.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Everyone has some plan he's trying to pull off.

The New Yorker

Imagine trying to pull off the Boston Tea Party today.

The New York Times

She was twenty, and already trying to pull off a career comeback.

The New Yorker

Wenger, though, is trying to pull off a deal of his own.

The New York Times - Sports

Trying to pull off both, he sacrifices structure and clarity of argument.

The Economist

Disney marketers have been trying to pull off a delicate balancing act.

The New York Times

Turkey had another reason in trying to pull off this diplomatic gamble.

The New York Times

SEGOLENE ROYAL, the French Socialist presidential candidate, is trying to pull off a heroic political trick.

The Economist

So now Hinton is trying to pull off a similar trick.

MIT Technology Review

In fairness, that was a tricky selfie Spurrier was trying to pull off.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now Allen will try to pull off an unlikely upset.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trying to pull off" when you want to emphasize the effort, skill, or even audacity required to achieve something, especially when there's a risk of failure or a need for clever maneuvering.

Common error

While "trying to pull off" is widely understood, in highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "attempting to achieve" or "endeavoring to accomplish" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying to pull off" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an attempt to achieve or accomplish something, often something difficult or audacious. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trying to pull off" is a versatile phrase used to describe an attempt to achieve something, often a difficult or ambitious task. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While most frequent in News & Media contexts, it also appears in Wiki and Formal & Business settings. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "attempting to achieve". It's useful to emphasize effort and skill, but avoid overuse in strictly academic contexts. The phrase suggests the task is challenging and the outcome uncertain. Alternatives include "attempting to achieve", "endeavoring to accomplish", or "seeking to execute".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trying to accomplish

This alternative shares the most similarity with the query. Both expressions highlight an attempt to achieve a specific task or goal.

attempting to achieve

Focuses on the act of attempting, highlighting the effort made. The similarity is in the goal-oriented action but lacks the nuance of potential difficulty.

endeavoring to accomplish

Emphasizes a serious and determined effort toward a goal. Conveys a higher degree of formality and commitment.

seeking to execute

Highlights the planning and implementation aspects of an action. Adds a layer of formality and professionalism.

aiming to realize

Focuses on the intention and aspiration to bring something into reality. Places emphasis on the desired outcome.

working to complete

Emphasizes the ongoing effort and process of finishing a task. Highlights the dedication and persistence involved.

striving to attain

Highlights the effort and struggle involved in reaching a goal. Suggests a challenging or competitive environment.

making an effort to

A general term indicating an attempt. Lacks the specific connotation of overcoming difficulty.

taking steps to

Focuses on the actions taken towards a goal, step-by-step. Suggests a methodical approach.

planning to execute

Highlights the preliminary stages of organizing and preparing for an action. Emphasizes foresight and strategy.

FAQs

How can I use "trying to pull off" in a sentence?

You can use "trying to pull off" to describe someone's attempt to achieve something, often something difficult or ambitious. For example, "The company is "trying to pull off" a major turnaround".

What's a more formal way to say "trying to pull off"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "attempting to achieve", "endeavoring to accomplish", or "seeking to execute" instead of "trying to pull off".

Is "trying to pull off" appropriate for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, "trying to pull off" might be perceived as too informal for strict academic writing. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives depending on the specific field and context.

What does "trying to pull off" imply about the difficulty of a task?

"Trying to pull off" suggests that the task at hand is challenging or requires considerable effort, skill, or even a bit of luck to succeed. It often implies that the outcome is uncertain.