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Carry off vs. bring off

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majidkh
June 25, 2010, 09:52 PM
Hello

Could someone tell me about the difference between the two phrases meaning "succeeding in doing sth difficult" and are they commonly used?

1- Bring off

- It was an important event, and she's managed to bring it off brilliantly.

2- Carry off

- I was flattered to be offered the job but wasn't sure if I could carry it off.

Thank you.

Rusty
June 25, 2010, 11:00 PM
'Carry it off' and 'bring it off' will both work in the first sentence. 'Pull it off' could also used. ('Brilliantly' would be heard more in England. I would be tempted to say 'without a hitch', especially after 'pulled it off'.)

The second sentence should work, but I was having a lot of difficulty with it at first. I guess it's because of the doubt which is cast. I would prefer wording that conveys the idea of a less successful endeavor, like "I wasn't sure if I could make a go of it (make it work)". 'Carry it out' or 'see it through' might also work. 'Up to it' or 'up to the task' could also be used.

wafflestomp
June 26, 2010, 11:06 AM
I would use pull it off in place of both of them, or as Rusty said "Up to it". The other ones sound very strange to me.
Also, I think you could use "but wasn't sure if I could handle it" or even "she managed to do it brilliantly"