What does "trick is on [someone]" mean, and when can it be used?

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"The trick is on [someone]" means that the situation or something that they explain or want to happen to someone else happens to themselves! You can use it to comment on your own, or someone else's actions and the irony that takes place. The more common phrase is actually "the joke's on [someone]." Ex: You told me to sign up for the fitness program, but the jokes on you, because I signed you up too. Ex: I guess the trick's on Jen for trying to get us in trouble since she got caught for cheating.

How do native speakers use this expression?

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Popular Q&As

09/07

1
What does "deliver grades" mean?
To "deliver grades" here refers to the process that teachers go through to grade, score, and give feedback on assignments, and then report the grades back to the students. Another way to say this can simply be to "grade" or to "submit grades". Ex: She will deliver grades next week.

2
I'm always not so sure about when to use the word "shall" When do you usually say this word?
Good question! "Shall" can be used with first-person pronouns to express the future tense instead of "will." It can also be used to politely offer a suggestion. Ex: Shall we meet at nine tomorrow morning? Ex: I shall be arriving at nine tomorrow morning. => slightly formal tone Ex: The bakery will be making a cake for us.

3
What does "down the line" mean?
Great question. The phrase "down the line" is an idiom. It is used to mean that something happens at a further, later, or unspecified point. So, if you say that something happens "down the line", it happens at a later stage of a situation or activity. Note that you can also talk about something happening "a long way down the line" to emphasize that is will happen at a much later date. You can also include about a particular amount of time down the line, if you are talking about it happening after that amount of time. Ex: I think that is something that will happen down the line. Ex: He knows that a promotion is a long way down the line. Ex: About five to six months down the line I will give her a call.

4
What's "my other" mean? Like two faces?
"My other," refers to "my other half." "My other half" or "my better half" means "my husband, my wife, or my partner." Ex: Her other half is a wonderful guy. I met him several times and I saw how he loved her back. Ex: Are you willing to be my other?

5
In English, it seems there's a lot of figurative speech about the tree. Why is that?
In mythologies, legends, and novels, trees represent "growth" and "life." Trees are easily referenced for symbolism and meaning. It also centers on a lot of religions like Christianity, where one of the first bible stories is about the tree in the garden of Eden. I don't think there's one specific reason as to why trees are used a lot figuratively, but rather that trees are a part of nature, and thus part of the human experience. So inspiration is taken by nature and living things that humans live in and around!

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