Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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verb
To tease someone; to lead someone on; to goad someone into overreacting. It usually implies teasing or goading by jokingly lying.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To extract money from someone (by taking out a loan or by swindling).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic, obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
subject to a playful hoax or joke
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: hoax, play a joke on
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: deceive, lead on, delude, cozen
History
The phrase from Scotland originally meant to make a fool of someone, often by cheating him. One theory is that it is derived from tripping someone by yanking or pulling his leg in order to make him stumble and look foolish.
Across languages
34 source translations are retained for this English entry.
