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Joined: Dec 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
On another forum, the phrase "pull a (insert name here)" was used, meaning act in a manner normally associated with (inserted name). It was pointed out that this phrase in UKn has certain unsavory connotations. How would one say what was meant without bringing up these unfortunate images in the mind of the UKn reader? And still remaining appropriately colloquial
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
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Good question. Let me see if I can set off a really interesting reaction in the UK contingent.  If you bite off more than you can chew, the probability of pulling it off diminishes. *hehheh*
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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From what mav said in the other pull thread it sounds like the UKn racy usage is intransitive. Anyone care to comment on that?
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
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My dictionary gives as definition 6:
[Colloq.] to put into effect; carry out; perform !to pull a raid"
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Macquarie seems to fully cover pull from a UK perspective:
http://www.macquariedictionary.com.au/p/dictionary/slang-p.html
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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macquarie
I guess it's not intransitive.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,624
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,624 |
You normally only hear "pull [something] off" or "pull off [something]". If I bowled three batsmen out in one innings (fat chance), I'd say that "I'd pulled off a hattrick".
"Pulling" is also used without the "off". Usually it's a "fast one", i.e. you have succeeded in beating someone at or to something, usually with an element of slyness. So, if I distract someone while I snaffle the last bagle, I'd say "I'd pulled a fast one over [someone]".
You don't usually hear any other usage. Leastways, not in the restricted circles I rotate in ...
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Joined: Apr 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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The particular introduction of Mrs. Griffiths to Miss Diana Parker secured them immediately an acquaintance with the Trafalgar House family and with the Denhams; and the Miss Beauforts were soon satisfied with "the circle in which they moved in Sanditon," to use a proper phrase, for everybody must now "move in a circle" -- to the prevalence of which rotatory motion is perhaps to be attributed the giddiness and false steps of many.
Jane Austen, "Sanditon" Chapter 10.
Bingley
Bingley
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