pʊl ˈsʌmwʌnz leɡ
Relationships
informal
beginner
- Literally:
- Physically pulling someone's leg
What does "pull someone's leg" mean?
- To tease or joke with someone
- To deceive someone playfully
Examples
- Don't worry, I'm just pulling your leg.
- He said he won the lottery but I think he's pulling my leg.
- Stop pulling my leg and tell me the truth!
Origin
Possibly from 19th-century street thieves who tripped victims by pulling their legs. Now used for harmless teasing.
How to use it
Always implies harmless, playful deception. Used to admit to joking.
Similar expressions
tease
joke
kid
have on
wind up
Opposites
be serious
tell the truth
be sincere
Related idioms
- break the ice
To initiate conversation in an awkward social situation
- see eye to eye
To agree with someone completely
- head over heels
Completely and deeply in love
- cut someone some slack
To be less strict or demanding with someone
- tie the knot
To get married
- burn bridges
To destroy relationships or opportunities permanently
Use it in a practice answer
Try "pull someone's leg" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.