Smoke and mirrors

[1293] Pull the wool over someone's eyes

🎲 See through someone/something
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • To deceive, trick, or fool someone; to prevent them from discovering the truth by misleading them.

Origin

  • Likely dates from the 17th-18th centuries when powdered wigs made of wool (perukes) were common, especially among judges and lawyers.
  • The image is of physically pulling someone's wig down over their eyes, blinding them to what's happening.
  • It metaphorically means to obscure someone's judgment or perception through trickery.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Deceive
  • Trick
  • Fool
  • Mislead
  • Dupe
  • Hoodwink
  • Bamboozle (informal)
  • Con (informal)
  • Lead someone down the garden path (mislead)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Con someone
  • Rip someone off (Usually involves money)
  • Screw someone over (Take unfair advantage)
  • Play someone (Manipulate or deceive)
  • Run game on someone (Deceive or manipulate, AAVE influence)
  • Take someone for a ride (Deceive or cheat)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Fuck someone over
  • Jerk someone around (Waste their time with deception)

Milder:

  • Mislead
  • Deceive
  • Trick
  • Not be upfront with someone

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal to semi-formal.
  • Can sound a bit dated but is widely understood. Use cautiously in very formal settings where direct accusations like 'deceive' might be preferred.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Highly metaphorical. Ensure learners understand it means 'to deceive' and has nothing to do with literal wool or eyes.

Examples

  • The con artist tried to pull the wool over their eyes with a sob story.
  • Don't let the fancy marketing pull the wool over your eyes; check the product reviews.
  • She thought she could pull the wool over my eyes, but I knew she was lying.

Dialogue

Sarah: The mechanic said I need a whole new transmission, costing thousands!

Mark: Did he show you the problem? Get a second opinion. Some mechanics try to pull the wool over your eyes, especially if they think you don't know much about cars.

Sarah: Good idea. I'll take it somewhere else tomorrow.

Social Media Examples

  • Post: Watch out for fake online stores! They use convincing designs to pull the wool over your eyes and steal your info. #Scam #CyberSecurity
  • Comment: He claimed it was a genuine antique? Sounds like he tried to pull the wool over your eyes.
  • Forum thread: How to avoid getting the wool pulled over your eyes when buying a used car?

Response Patterns

  • Recognition of deception: You can't pull the wool over my eyes! / I see what you're doing.
  • Warning to others: Watch out, they might try to pull the wool over your eyes.
  • Realization after being deceived: I can't believe I let them pull the wool over my eyes.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

If someone attempts deception:

  • Confrontation: Are you trying to pull the wool over my eyes?
  • Seeking clarification: What's really going on here?
  • Taking precautions: I'm going to double-check that information.

After realizing deception:

  • Expressing anger/disappointment: How could they do that?
  • Learning from it: I won't let that happen again.

Conversation Starter

  • No. Describes an act of deception, often as a warning or accusation.

Intonation

  • Stress often falls on pull, wool, and eyes.
  • He tried to PULL the WOOL over their EYES.
  • Can be said with accusation or warning.

Generation Differences

  • More frequently used by older generations (40+), but generally understood by younger people.

Regional Variations

  • Common in most English-speaking regions.
Smoke and mirrors
🎲 See through someone/something