ENGLISH
REFERENCE

I have a bridge to sell you

idiom
Meaning

An indirect way of expressing that the addressee is gullible.


Origin

disputed origin

In reference to George C. Parker, an infamous conman who successfully duped his victims into “buying” the Brooklyn Bridge.

Examples
SIMPLE

If you believe that promise, I have a bridge to sell you.

CONTEXTUAL

He thinks he can win a million dollars just by clicking that link, but I have a bridge to sell him.

COMPLEX

When the salesman claimed the used car had never been driven in the rain, I told him he clearly thought I had a bridge to sell me.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a bridge too far

    A step or action that is too ambitious; an act of overreaching.

  2. 02

    bridge over troubled waters

    Someone or something that provides support, comfort, and a means to overcome difficult times.

  3. 03

    bridge the gap

    To serve as or create a connection between disconnected or disparate things.

  4. 04

    burn that bridge when one comes to it

    To anticipate dealing with a problem or situation either by acting in a manner that alienates or cuts ties with others, or merely with the expectation of encountering trouble.

  5. 05

    cross that bridge when one comes to it

    To deal with a problem or situation only if and when it arises.

  6. 06

    sell bargains

    To make saucy (usually indiscreet) comments; to come onto.

  7. 07

    sell dearly

    To make one's opponent pay a very high price to defeat or obtain (a person, unit, vehicle, or territory).

  8. 08

    sell down

    To betray a person; to conspire against someone for personal gain.

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