ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pull someone's leg

idiom
Meaning

To tease someone; to lead someone on; to goad someone into overreacting. It usually implies teasing or goading by jokingly lying.


Origin

disputed origin

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.

Examples
SIMPLE

Don't believe him, he is just pulling your leg.

CONTEXTUAL

I thought I won the lottery, but my friend was just pulling my leg the whole time.

COMPLEX

Although he maintained a serious expression while recounting the absurd story, I eventually realized he was merely pulling my leg to test my gullibility.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    an arm and a leg

    Usually used after the verb cost, but also often charge, pay, and spend: a very high price for an item or service; an exorbitant price

  2. 02

    another nail in someone's coffin

    An event that increases the likelihood of or causes further failure.

  3. 03

    answer someone's prayers

    To be or do exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.

  4. 04

    answer to someone's prayers

    Exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.

  5. 05

    apple of someone's eye

    The object of somebody's affections; a person (or sometimes a thing) that someone strongly prefers; a favorite, a loved one.

  6. 06

    bane of someone's existence

    Someone or something that poses a significant problem to someone.

  7. 07

    bash someone's face in

    To beat someone violently.

  8. 08

    bash someone's head

    To beat up someone violently.

Last updated July 12, 2026