Meaning of phrasal verb 'carry off'

[micha]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #127 "Idioms with the phrasal verb carry", question 8

When irrigation has no ......... system, the evaporating water deposits a gradual build-up of salinization, which is eventually damaging to plant life.

(a) carry over
(b) carry on
(c) carry off
(d) carry out

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #127 "Idioms with the phrasal verb carry", answer 8

When irrigation has no carry off system, the evaporating water deposits a gradual build-up of salinization, which is eventually damaging to plant life.

Correct answer: (c) carry off
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What does carry off mean?

[Mister Micawber]

.
Here, a carry off system is a way of draining away the unused water; the water is carried off the field into a catch basin of some kind, or is recycled. (The carrying is usually done by gravity.)
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_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber

[Jan]

Hi,
carry off has many meanings:
1) to lift and take (someone or something) away
2) to win
3) to handle (a situation) successfully
4)to cause to die
"the circulatory disorder which carried off other members of his family"

by courtesy of Collins Family Dictionary.

Jan