What does “Pull the wool over someone's eyes” mean?
"Pull the wool over someone's eyes" means to deceive or trick someone.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He tried to pull the wool over my eyes with his fake story.
Example
Don't let him pull the wool over your eyes with his smooth talk.
Example
She was able to pull the wool over their eyes and get away with the stolen goods
Is “Pull the wool over someone's eyes” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Pull the wool over someone's eyes” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Pull the wool over someone's eyes” effectively in context?
You can use "Pull the Wool Over Someone's Eyes" to describe the act of deceiving or tricking someone. It implies that someone is trying to hide the truth or manipulate others for their own benefit. For example, if a friend tells you a fake story to avoid taking responsibility for their actions, you might say, 'Don't let him pull the wool over your eyes with his smooth talk.'
- 1Relationships
She suspected her partner was pulling the wool over her eyes when he started acting suspiciously.
- 2Business
The salesman tried to pull the wool over my eyes by exaggerating the benefits of the product.
- 3Crime
She was able to pull the wool over their eyes and get away with the stolen goods.
Similar phrases to “Pull the wool over someone's eyes”:
To deceive or trick someone
Example
He tried to dupe me into believing his false promises.
Hoodwink
To deceive or trick someone, especially by misleading or confusing them
Example
The con artist hoodwinked unsuspecting victims out of their money.
To deceive or trick someone, often by confusing or perplexing them
Example
The magician bamboozled the audience with his mind-bending tricks.
To deceive or cheat someone out of money or valuables
Example
The scammer swindled innocent people out of their life savings.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Pull the wool over someone's eyes” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Pull the Wool Over Someone's Eyes" is unknown.
Is “Pull the wool over someone's eyes” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Pull the Wool Over Someone's Eyes" is a common idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe situations where someone is being deceived or tricked.
What tone does “Pull the wool over someone's eyes” have?
"Pull the Wool Over Someone's Eyes" conveys a tone of caution and skepticism. It suggests that one should be wary of others' intentions and not easily believe everything they say.
Can “Pull the wool over someone's eyes” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "Pull the Wool Over Someone's Eyes" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that describes the act of deception. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as business meetings or professional writing.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He tried to pull the wool over my eyes with his fake story.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Don't let him "pull the wool over your eyes"!' to warn someone about being deceived.
