english
1
general::
Phrase(s): 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.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
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]
American Heritage Idioms