- An idiom meaning You're teasing me, You're joking, or You're trying to trick me playfully.
- It expresses skepticism or disbelief about a statement, suggesting it's likely an exaggeration or fabrication told in jest.
Explanation
Origin
The exact origin is uncertain but likely emerged in Britain or America in the late 19th or early 20th century.
Theories include:
- Literally tripping someone (pulling their leg) as a practical joke.
- Reference to hanging judges where assistants might pull on the legs of a hanged person to hasten death (less likely related to the playful meaning).
- A more plausible theory relates to thieves who would literally trip or pull someone's leg to make them fall and then rob them, later evolving to mean any form of deception, eventually softening to playful teasing.
Regardless of origin, it means to playfully deceive or joke with someone.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- You're messing with me.
- Stop playin'. (AAVE)
- Are you winding me up? (UK)
- Is this a wind-up? (UK)
- Quit your kidding.
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Are you shitting me? (Expresses stronger disbelief, less playful)
- Don't bullshit me. (More confrontational, implies deliberate lying)
Milder:
- Are you joking?
- Seriously?
- You can't mean that.
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal.
- Used in friendly, casual conversations. It implies a degree of familiarity, as accusing someone of joking can be awkward if you don't know them well.
- It's a lighthearted way to express disbelief.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Non-native speakers might be confused by the literal image and not understand the idiomatic meaning of teasing or joking.
- Ensure the playful intent is clear through tone, as it could sound accusatory if delivered harshly.
Examples
- A: I'm thinking of dyeing my hair green. B: You're pulling my leg, right?
- You won the lottery? Oh, come on, you're pulling my leg!
- A: The boss said we can all leave early today. B: Stop pulling my leg!
Dialogue
Chloe: I just bought tickets for us to go skydiving next weekend!
Liam: Skydiving?! You're pulling my leg! You're terrified of heights.
Chloe: Haha, gotcha! No, but I did get us tickets to that new action movie.
Liam: Oh, thank goodness. You had me worried there!
Social Media Examples
- Comment: You met Chris Pratt?! Stop pulling my leg! Need proof! #CelebritySighting
- Reply: A: I'm moving to the moon. B: Haha, nice try. You're pulling my leg. 😉
- Text: Guess what? I quit my job! Ur pulling my leg right?? 😮
Response Patterns
- Denying the joke: No, I'm serious!, I'm not pulling your leg!, It's true!
- Admitting the joke: Yeah, just kidding!, Gotcha!, Okay, you got me.
- Ambiguous/Teasing further: Am I?, Wouldn't you like to know?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Asking for confirmation: Seriously?, For real?, Are you actually?
- Laughing if it's confirmed to be a joke or if the speaker admits it.
- Expressing relief or playful annoyance if tricked: Oh, thank goodness!, Don't do that!
Conversation Starter
- No.
- It's a reaction to a potentially untrue or teasing statement.
Intonation
- Often has a questioning or incredulous tone, with rising intonation at the end.
- Stress typically falls on PULL-ing and LEG. You're PULL-ing my LEG?
- Can also be said with a more accusatory (but still playful) falling intonation: You're PULL-ing my LEG.
Generation Differences
- Understood by most generations, though it might feel slightly more traditional or less common among very young speakers (Gen Z, Gen Alpha) compared to You're kidding or Are you serious?
Regional Variations
- Common and well-understood in most major English-speaking regions (AE, BE, AusE, CanE).