carry off
ينجح في
Wörtlich: to transport something away
Use `carry off` when someone succeeds at something difficult while looking confident and stylish.
In 15 Sekunden
- Successfully handling a difficult or tricky situation with confidence.
- Often used for fashion choices or challenging public performances.
- Implies you had the skill or style to make it work.
Bedeutung
This phrase describes successfully handling a difficult or embarrassing situation with confidence and style. It is about pulling something off that most people would find tricky or awkward.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Commenting on a bold fashion choice
I can't believe she managed to carry off that purple hat!
لا أصدق أنها نجحت في التألق بتلك القبعة الأرجوانية!
Discussing a work presentation
It was a tough crowd, but he carried off the presentation perfectly.
كان جمهوراً صعباً، لكنه نجح في تقديم العرض بشكل مثالي.
Texting about a social event
You really carried off that joke even though it was a bit risky!
لقد نجحت حقاً في إلقاء تلك النكتة رغم أنها كانت مخاطرة قليلاً!
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase evokes the image of a performer successfully finishing a difficult act and 'carrying off' the applause or the prize. It is deeply rooted in the Western ideal of 'grace under pressure,' where the manner in which you do something is as important as the result itself.
Style Matters
Use this phrase when the 'way' someone did something was impressive, not just the result.
Don't confuse with 'Carry on'
`Carry on` means to continue. `Carry off` means to succeed at something specific.
In 15 Sekunden
- Successfully handling a difficult or tricky situation with confidence.
- Often used for fashion choices or challenging public performances.
- Implies you had the skill or style to make it work.
What It Means
Carry off is all about success under pressure. It means you managed to do something difficult. Usually, this thing requires a lot of confidence. Imagine wearing a bright neon suit to a wedding. If you look great and feel bold, you carried it off. It is about winning when the odds are against you.
How To Use It
You use this phrase when someone succeeds in a specific task. You can carry off a performance, a look, or a difficult conversation. Note that it is a separable phrasal verb. You can say carry off the plan or carry the plan off. It sounds best when describing a personal achievement or a stylish victory.
When To Use It
Use it when someone surprises you with their skill. Use it at work when a colleague handles a tough presentation. Use it with friends when someone wears a crazy outfit and looks good. It is perfect for moments that require poise and grace. It feels very positive and admiring.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for simple, everyday tasks. You do not carry off brushing your teeth or buying milk. Avoid using it for purely physical lifting, as that is just carrying. Also, do not use it if the success was easy. It needs to feel like a bit of a challenge or a risk. Don't use it for accidents either.
Cultural Background
This phrase has a slightly theatrical or high-fashion history. In British and American culture, 'poise' is highly valued. The phrase suggests that your personality is stronger than the difficulty of the task. It implies a certain level of 'coolness' or 'swagger'. It is often used in fashion magazines or talent reviews.
Common Variations
You might hear pull off, which is very similar but more informal. Carry it off is the most common way to use it in a sentence. Sometimes people use carry the day, which means to win a victory. However, carry off remains the best choice for individual style and confidence.
Nutzungshinweise
The phrase is neutral and very versatile. Remember that it is a separable phrasal verb, so the object can go between `carry` and `off`. It is most frequently used when discussing performances, fashion, or social maneuvers.
Style Matters
Use this phrase when the 'way' someone did something was impressive, not just the result.
Don't confuse with 'Carry on'
`Carry on` means to continue. `Carry off` means to succeed at something specific.
The 'Cool' Factor
In the UK, this is a high compliment for someone's social ease and confidence.
Beispiele
6I can't believe she managed to carry off that purple hat!
لا أصدق أنها نجحت في التألق بتلك القبعة الأرجوانية!
Focuses on the ability to look good in something unusual.
It was a tough crowd, but he carried off the presentation perfectly.
كان جمهوراً صعباً، لكنه نجح في تقديم العرض بشكل مثالي.
Shows professional success despite a difficult environment.
You really carried off that joke even though it was a bit risky!
لقد نجحت حقاً في إلقاء تلك النكتة رغم أنها كانت مخاطرة قليلاً!
Used to praise a friend's social confidence.
The young actor carried off the top prize of the night.
نجح الممثل الشاب في حصد الجائزة الكبرى في تلك الليلة.
Used here to mean winning or capturing a victory.
Only you could carry off wearing socks with sandals, Dave.
أنت الوحيد الذي يمكنه النجاح في ارتداء الجوارب مع الصنادل يا ديف.
Sarcastic but friendly way to comment on a weird look.
She carried off the difficult reunion with such grace.
لقد أدارت لم الشمل الصعب بكل لباقة ونجاح.
Refers to emotional intelligence and poise.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct word to complete the phrase about a successful performance.
The lead singer was nervous, but she managed to carry ___ the difficult solo.
`Carry off` means to succeed in doing something difficult, like a musical solo.
Complete the sentence regarding a fashion choice.
Not many people can carry ___ a neon green suit, but he looks great.
We use `carry off` when talking about having the confidence to wear bold clothing.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of 'Carry Off'
Used with friends about clothes or jokes.
You carried that off!
Standard use for achievements.
She carried off the lead role.
Used in journalism or reviews.
The diplomat carried off the negotiations.
When to use 'Carry Off'
Fashion
Wearing a bold outfit
Public Speaking
Giving a tough speech
Social Risk
Telling a daring joke
Competitions
Winning a surprise trophy
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot exactly. While it can mean winning a prize, it usually implies winning with style or handling a tricky situation successfully, like carrying off a difficult role in a play.
If you mean literally picking something up and taking it away, you just use carry. For example, 'He carried the box off the stage.' It is literal there.
It is quite neutral. You can use it in a business report or when chatting with friends about their new shoes.
Pull off is more informal and common in American English. Carry off sounds a bit more sophisticated or focused on the manner of success.
No, because homework isn't usually a matter of style or public performance. You would just say 'I finished my homework'.
You should say carry it off. When using a pronoun like 'it', it must go in the middle of the phrasal verb.
Usually, it is positive. However, it can be used for a 'heist' or a robbery, like carrying off a bank robbery, meaning they successfully committed the crime.
Yes, but with more 'flavor'. Succeed is a general verb; carry off suggests you had the specific talent or confidence to make it work.
Yes, it is very common in both British and American English, though British speakers might use it more frequently in social contexts.
Yes, if a team wins a trophy, you can say they carried off the cup. It emphasizes the act of taking the prize home.
Verwandte Redewendungen
pull off
To succeed in doing something difficult or unexpected (informal).
bring off
To achieve something very difficult (slightly more formal).
carry the day
To be victorious or be the one who wins an argument/competition.
get away with
To do something wrong or risky without being caught or criticized.
Kommentare (0)
Zum Kommentieren AnmeldenStarte kostenlos mit dem Sprachenlernen
Kostenlos Loslegen