English Reference
Idiom idiom

carry off


To act convincingly; to succeed at giving the impression of (e.g.) knowledge, confidence, or familiarity.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

She can carry off that bright yellow dress easily.

CONTEXTUAL

He was nervous about the presentation, but he managed to carry off an air of total confidence.

COMPLEX

Despite her lack of formal training, she managed to carry off the role of a seasoned diplomat with remarkable poise and authority.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    can't carry a tune in a bucket

    Sings very badly.

  2. 02

    carried away

    Made excessively emotional or excited, so that one goes too far.

  3. 03

    carry a torch

    To love or to be romantically infatuated with, especially when such feelings are not reciprocated.

  4. 04

    carry away

    To be so excited that one is no longer in control of one's actions or behavior.

  5. 05

    carry coals to Newcastle

    To do something that is unneeded or redundant.

  6. 06

    carry forward

    To transfer to a new page, column, ledger, or similar entity.

  7. 07

    carry on

    To continue or proceed as before.

  8. 08

    carry one's weight

    To contribute or produce one's fair share, as of work, money, etc.

Last updated August 10, 2026