Success & Failure — Phrasal Verbs
Achievement · 8 phrasal verbs · Level B2
pull off
Meaning: to succeed at something difficult or surprising
pull OFF transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Few people can pull off a surprise party in one day.
In conversation: She pulled off the deal at the last minute.
Common partners: pull off a victory · pull it off
⚠️ Common mistake: Pull off carries surprise/admiration — easy tasks don't get 'pulled off'.
A You pulled off the whole wedding!
B Barely — but yes!
fall through
Meaning: to fail to happen (plans, deals)
fall THROUGH intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: Plans fall through when nobody confirms them.
In conversation: Our house deal fell through at the last minute.
Common partners: fall through at the last minute · the deal falls through
⚠️ Common mistake: Fall through is for PLANS and DEALS failing — not people falling.
A The trip might fall through.
B Then we book the lake house instead.
get ahead
Meaning: to become successful / make progress
get a-HEAD intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: She works weekends to get ahead at the firm.
In conversation: Reading daily helps students get ahead.
Common partners: get ahead at work · get ahead of the competition
⚠️ Common mistake: Get ahead OF someone = pass them; get ahead (alone) = succeed in life/work.
A He studies at night to get ahead.
B That discipline will pay off.
fall short
Meaning: to not reach the standard or amount needed
fall SHORT intransitive (of + target) inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: Sales fall short of the target this quarter.
In conversation: His speech fell short of expectations.
Common partners: fall short of a goal · fall short of expectations
⚠️ Common mistake: Fall short OF the target: fell short of the goal by ten percent.
A Donations fall short this year.
B One more campaign can close the gap.
measure up
Meaning: to be good enough for a standard
MEAS-ure UP intransitive (to + standard) inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: Few phones measure up to this camera quality.
In conversation: He worries he doesn't measure up.
Common partners: measure up to expectations · measure up against rivals
⚠️ Common mistake: Measure up TO a standard: Does it measure up to the original?
A Does the sequel measure up?
B Honestly? Almost.
stand out
Meaning: to be easy to notice because you are different or better
stand OUT intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: Her red coat makes her stand out in the crowd.
In conversation: Good design helps a product stand out.
Common partners: stand out from the crowd · stand out as the best
⚠️ Common mistake: Stand out FROM the group; stand out AS the best candidate.
A Your portfolio will stand out.
B The interviewer said the same!
go far
Meaning: to be very successful in life or a career
go FAR intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: With that talent, she will go far.
In conversation: He wants to go far in medicine.
Common partners: go far in life · go far in a career
⚠️ Common mistake: Go far here is success — not distance. Context (career words) makes it clear.
A That kid will go far.
B Best student I've taught in years.
carry through
Meaning: to complete something difficult despite problems
CAR-ry THROUGH transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Strong leaders carry through reforms even when they are unpopular.
In conversation: She carried through the project alone.
Common partners: carry through a plan · carry through to the end
⚠️ Common mistake: Carry through vs carry out: carry out = do the task; carry through = finish DESPITE obstacles.
A Can we carry through the reform?
B It will be hard — but yes.
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