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to carry out

to carry out

348 1.8
To do a task or follow instructions
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈkæri aʊt/
translation icon : llevar a cabo
  • The CP pilots did not receive any state funding to carry out their pilot projects.
  • carry out a task
  • carry out a plan
  • carry out a project

How does the UK Parliament carry out these duties?

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Examples

  • The king's orders must be carried out.

  • School-based surveys are usually carried out with whole classes or whole cohorts within schools.

    Academic text (2013)
  • You may be the best person to carry out the mission.

  • How does the UK Parliament carry out these duties?

  • The question is how to carry out this revision of our model.

  • I want this carried out correctly.

  • Principals set the tone for the building, work to develop and carry out school goals.

    Academic text (2015)
  • A good next investigative step is to carry out a more reliable hair-follicle test.

    Academic text (2015)
  • In December 2011, the president of Fuerabamba requested authorization to carry out water studies in the area.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The team must carry out the project by the end of the month.

Synonyms

to do
vsto carry out
1.0

Study a subject at university, for example medicine or law

is specifically about completing tasks, orders, or plans rather than general action
to perform
vsto carry out
1.3

To do a task or duty

is broader, for general task completion, not only formal actions
to accomplish
vsto carry out
942 2.6

To do something successfully after much effort

is about finishing tasks or orders regardless of effort level
to implement
vsto carry out
515 3.7

To put a plan or rule into action

is the act of finishing tasks, not only turning plans into action
to fulfill
vsto carry out
  • US
265 2.8

To do what is required or promised

is the general activity of completing tasks, not only meeting requirements
to execute
vsto carry out
233 3.6

To carry out a plan or task

is the general act of completing tasks, not only formal or precise orders
to go through with
vsto carry out
175 3.7

To do something you promised or planned even if it feels difficult

is the general act of completing tasks, not only when facing doubt
to exercise
vsto carry out
98 3.3

Carry out the duties of a job or role

is the general task completion, not only role-specific duties
to put through
vsto carry out
22 3.7

To make a plan or change happen

is the general task completion, not only finishing plans or proposals
to discharge
vsto carry out
9 5.0

Carry out a duty or task

is the general completion of tasks, not limited to formal obligations
to carry through
vsto carry out
2 3.7

Finish something successfully when it is difficult

is the general completion of tasks, not only hard or challenging ones

Antonyms

773 3.1

Leave someone or something behind permanently and without care

256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

How Thorough

to fulfill
  • US
265 2.8
to complete
1.0
to carry out
348 1.8
to do
1.0

Surface Forms

carry out infinitive
carried out past participle
carrying out present participle
carries out third person singular

Morphology

carry + out

The meaning 'to do or complete a task' is partly derivable from 'carry' (to bear or take on) combined with 'out' which here adds a resultative/completive sense; this compositional logic gives learners a clue. However, the idiomatic use as 'execute/perform' is metaphorical and requires awareness of the phrasal-verb pattern, so it is not fully predictable for an average B1 learner without prior exposure.

Etymology

Carry out may come from the simple image of taking something finished out of a place, like a waiter who carries a dish out of the kitchen when the job is done. So it means 'to do' or 'complete' a task or order.