ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pull the other one, it's got bells on

idiom
Meaning

Expresses disbelief.


Origin

disputed origin

As an extension of the phrase pull someone's leg—now that you've pulled one leg, pull the other one.

Examples
SIMPLE

You won the lottery? Pull the other one, it's got bells on!

CONTEXTUAL

He told me he met a famous actor at the grocery store, but I said, pull the other one, it's got bells on.

COMPLEX

When the politician claimed he had never heard of the scandal, the cynical journalist replied, pull the other one, it's got bells on.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all it's cracked up to be

    As good as claims or reputation would suggest.

  2. 02

    as best one can

    In the best possible way, given one's circumstances and abilities.

  3. 03

    as far as one knows

    To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows or possible information to be gathered about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.

  4. 04

    back to square one

    Located back at the start, as after a dead end or failure.

  5. 05

    beat as one

    To share the same feelings.

  6. 06

    become one flesh

    To join together in marriage; to develop a unifying bond as a result of marrying.

  7. 07

    been there, done that, got the T-shirt

    Alternative form of been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.

  8. 08

    bells and whistles

    Extra features added for show rather than function; fancy additions or features.

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