carry off

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carry off (third-person singular simple present carries off, present participle carrying off, simple past and past participle carried off)

1. To transport away.

   I need a truck to carry off all this furniture.

2. To steal or kidnap
   • 1913, Elizabeth Kimball Kendall, A Wayfarer in China

     In spite of the importance of this route it remained until a few years ago very insecure. Overhung almost its entire length by the inaccessible fastnesses of Lololand, the passing caravans dared journey only with convoy, and even then were frequently overwhelmed by raiders from the hills, who carried off both trader and goods into the mountains, the former to lifelong servitude.

   Bandits carried off most of the money.

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

   The actress carried off a difficult performance.

4. To cause the death of.

   Malaria carried off many people.

5. To win (a prize, etc.).

   After a closely-fought match, Oxford carried off the trophy.