pig in a poke
idiomSomething whose true value is concealed or unknown and may be lower than expected by the buyer or claimed by the seller, especially something offered for sale.
Origin
disputed originReportedly from the practice of substituting a butchered cat, etc. for a suckling pig when sold in a sack at a market. Other theories circulate but all involve the purchase of a cat in a bag, where the buyer expected better. poke refers to a bag or sack, and is related to pouch.
- 01
couldn't stop a pig in a passage
To be bow-legged.
- 02
happy as a pig in mud
Very happy or content.
- 03
happy as a pig in shit
Extremely happy; obviously satisfied and carefree.
- 04
make a pig of oneself
To eat to excess; to overeat; to gorge.
- 05
poke holes in
To criticize someone by finding flaws or weaknesses in their work or to criticize something by demonstrating that it is not correct.
- 06
poke one's nose into
Synonym of stick one's nose into.
- 07
poke someone's eye out
To damage or harm someone's eye to the point that it can no longer see.
- 08
poke the bear
To deliberately aggravate somebody, especially somebody in a position of power or authority.