carry off

Related to carry off: in earnest, get along, carry out, carry through, start off, trip up

carry off

1. To complete or do something successfully, especially when faced with obstacles. A noun or pronoun can be used between "carry" and "off." I never expected to carry off the party once the caterer suddenly quit, but everyone seems to have had a great time!
2. To steal something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "carry" and "off." I think someone carried off our new porch furniture—it's nowhere in sight! Ethel forgot to put that expensive necklace in the safe, and one of the party guests carried it off.
3. To physically move someone or something away from a certain location. A noun or pronoun can be used between "carry" and "off." Luckily, the lifeguard was able to rescue Dan after the current carried him off.
4. To win a prize or contest. A noun or pronoun can be used between "carry" and "off." Everyone was shocked when that little-known band carried off the night's biggest award.
5. To cause one's death. A noun or pronoun can be used between "carry" and "off." Unfortunately, the injuries from the accident were so severe that they carried him off.
See also: carry, off
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

carry someone or something off

to take or steal someone or something. The kidnappers carried the child off. They carried off the child.
See also: carry, off

carry something off

 
1. Lit. to take something away with oneself; to steal something. Someone carried off my books! I think someone carried off the lawn chairs last night.
2. Fig. to make a planned event work out successfully. It was a huge party, but the hostess carried it off beautifully. The magician carried off the trick with great skill.
See also: carry, off
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

carry off

1. Handle successfully, win, as in It was a difficult situation, but he managed to carry it off gracefully, or They carried off first prize. [First half of 1800s]
2. Cause the death of someone, as in The new African virus carried off an entire village. This usage is less common today. [Late 1600s]
See also: carry, off
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

carry off

v.
1. To pick up something or someone and move away: The wind carried off the balloon. The criminal frowned as the police carried him off.
2. To steal something or someone: The bandits broke into the farmyard and carried off the chickens. The painting was the city's most treasured possession until thieves carried it off.
3. To handle or accomplish something successfully: The performance was unrehearsed, but we carried it off without a problem. The host carried off the event beautifully.
4. To win something, as an award or prize: The film carried off four of the top prizes. The prize was $10,000, and I was determined to carry it off.
5. To cause the death of someone: Heart disease finally carried him off. Many pioneers were carried off by fever.
See also: carry, off
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • replenish
  • replenish (someone or something) with (something)
  • replenish with
  • involve with
  • involve with (someone or something)
  • involved with
  • piece out
  • arrange for
  • arrange for some time
  • arrange some music for
References in periodicals archive
It was left to her actress pal Jaime Winstone to show how to carry off Hogg's futuristic designs..
Hogg's a pig to wear
HOT favourites to regain the Coors Mid-Cheshire League First Division title, Barnton failed in a bid to carry off the President's Trophy last week when they lost 3-1 in the semi-final at Glossop North End.
Amateur Football: Barnton eye title
Lloyd has the strong, masculine voice to carry off these stories of men and the challenges they meet.
From the Listening Hills
Most people with schizophrenia are much too ill to carry off double lives.
From Peter Eldridge re "schizophrenia". (Letters to the Editor)
Scientists participating in a complex experiment involving two aging satellites have barely two months to carry off an unprecedented study of a coronal mass ejection -- a hot, gaseous blob of plasma shot out by the sun.
Solar blast
IT'S not everyone that could carry off this Carry On Cleo blue and black wig and Egyptian make-up.
3am: Dannii's a Cleo fashion winner
As well as league runners-up, they lifted the Terry Murphy Memorial Trophy and the Cleveland Cup, while the U17s, in the same division, finished third and then defeated the champions to carry off the Stephen Dean Memorial Rosebowl.
Non League Football: Youngsters provide the drive for Motors
BENTLEY ROAD thwarted Fife Street A's bid to carry off the Worthington Nuneaton Friday Night Games League's Tennents Darts Trophy for the third consecutive season thanks to victory in a last game decider.
FRIDAY NIGHT GAMES LEAGUE: Road wreck Street's bid!
Scourby's voice has the right combination of sophistication and hope to carry off the sweet bitterness of all these stories.
Best Jazz Age Stories