# bring off

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bring-off
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 2. to rescue from a ship

phrasal verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to rescue people from a ship or a wreck using a smaller boat.

For teachers: to rescue or transport individuals from a vessel, typically one in distress, to the shore or another ship.

- The lifeboat was sent out to bring off the remaining crew from the sinking ship.
- The coastguard worked through the night in treacherous conditions to bring off the survivors from the grounded freighter before the tide turned.

Usage: Usually used in historical or maritime contexts.

Teaching tip: This sense is rare in modern conversation and is mostly found in older literature or historical accounts of shipwrecks.

## Examples

- It was a difficult plan, but they managed to bring it off.
- The young director brought off a stunning performance despite having a very small budget and little time.
- Few politicians could have brought off such a delicate negotiation without alienating the more radical members of their own party.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: contrast with 'pull off' (a more common, slightly less formal synonym) and 'carry out' (which implies following instructions rather than overcoming difficulty).

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.