# pull the other one, it's got bells on

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/pull-the-other-one-its-got-bells-on
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Expresses disbelief.

## Examples

- You won the lottery? Pull the other one, it's got bells on!
- You say you forgot your homework again? Pull the other one, it's got bells on.
- He told me he met a famous actor at the grocery store, but I said, pull the other one, it's got bells on.
- My brother claims he finished the entire marathon in under two hours, so I told him to pull the other one, it's got bells on.
- She tried to convince us that she owns a private island in the Pacific, but we just laughed and said, pull the other one, it's got bells on.
- When the politician claimed he had never heard of the scandal, the cynical journalist replied, pull the other one, it's got bells on.

## Origin

The expression originated as a sardonic extension of the existing idiom pull someone's leg. It functions on the premise that, having already pulled one limb, the speaker invites the provocateur to pull the other one. The addition of the bells suggests the speaker is wearing the costume of a court jester, thereby acknowledging the attempt to make a fool of them while simultaneously indicating the attempt has failed.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.