teɪk ˌsʌmwʌn fɔːr ə raɪd
Travel
informal
intermediate
- Literally:
- to drive someone somewhere in a vehicle
What does "take someone for a ride" mean?
to cheat or deceive someone, especially financially
Examples
- The mechanic took us for a ride — that repair should have cost half the price.
- Don't let online scammers take you for a ride.
- I realized the investment company had taken me for a ride when my money disappeared.
Origin
Originated in 1920s American gangster slang.
How to use it
Implies financial deception. The literal meaning (giving someone a ride) is also common.
Similar expressions
rip someone off
swindle
con
Opposites
deal fairly with
be honest with
Related idioms
- hit the road
To leave or depart on a journey
- in the same boat
In the same difficult situation as someone else
- miss the boat
To miss an opportunity
- go the extra mile
to make more effort than is expected or required
- a long way to go
much more work or progress is needed before completion
- that ship has sailed
The opportunity has passed
Use it in a practice answer
Try "take someone for a ride" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.