carry off
B2Neutral to slightly formal; the 'cause death' meaning is literary/archaic.
Definition
Meaning
To succeed in doing something difficult or to win a prize.
To handle a difficult situation with skill; to cause someone's death (archaic/formal).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a transitive phrasal verb. The 'succeed' meaning often implies doing so despite challenges or competition. The 'kill' meaning is now rare and used in formal/literary contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use the 'succeed' meaning identically. The 'kill' meaning is equally archaic in both.
Connotations
In the 'succeed' sense, it can imply a degree of boldness or panache.
Frequency
Moderately common in both varieties, with similar frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] carry off [Direct Object][Subject] carry it offVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “carry it off with style”
- “carry off the honours”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for winning contracts or awards (e.g., 'They carried off the major account').
Academic
Rare. Might describe winning a scholarship or prize.
Everyday
Common for describing successful events, performances, or deceptions.
Technical
Not typically used in technical registers.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The underdog team carried off the championship.
- She carried off the complex role with astonishing ease.
- The disease carried off thousands in the 19th century.
American English
- Our design carried off first prize.
- He wasn't sure he could carry off wearing a cape, but he did.
- The epidemic carried off a significant portion of the population.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The young singer carried off the first prize.
- Can he carry off such a bold plan?
- Against all expectations, the rookie carried off the tournament.
- She carried off the sophisticated look perfectly.
- The negotiators carried off a seemingly impossible deal.
- The film carries off the difficult tone shift in the third act.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an athlete carrying off a trophy after a hard-fought victory.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUCCESS IS CAPTURING AN OBJECT (carrying it away from a contested space).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'уносить' for the 'succeed' meaning. Use 'добиться успеха', 'одержать победу'. The literal 'уносить' only fits the archaic 'kill' sense.
Common Mistakes
- Using it intransitively (e.g., 'He carried off well' is wrong). Confusing with 'carry on' (continue) or 'carry out' (execute).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'carry off' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but can sound slightly formal or idiomatic. The 'kill' meaning is formal/literary.
They are very close synonyms. 'Pull off' can sound slightly more informal and emphasize the difficulty more strongly.
Yes, but usually in the pattern 'carry off a role/look/impersonation'. It is not used for physically carrying a person (use 'carry away').
Mostly yes (a prize, a look, a plan). The archaic 'kill' meaning takes a person as the object.