Pull the wool over someone's eyes

[1294] See through someone/something

🎲 Call someone's bluff
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • To understand the true nature, intentions, or hidden motives of a person or situation, despite any attempts at deception or pretense.

Origin

  • A straightforward metaphor based on physical transparency.
  • Just as clear glass allows you to see what's behind it, being able to see through a person or situation means you perceive the reality beneath the surface appearance or facade.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Understand someone's motives
  • Recognize deception
  • Not be fooled by
  • Figure someone out
  • Get someone's number (informal: understand someone's true character)
  • Read someone like a book (understand easily)
  • Penetrate a disguise/facade

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Figure someone out
  • Get someone's number
  • Not buy it (Not believe an excuse or story)
  • Peep game (AAVE origin: understand the underlying strategy or situation)
  • Suss someone/something out (UK/Aus: figure out, investigate)
  • Call BS on (Recognize and implicitly challenge nonsense)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • See right through their bullshit / crap

Milder:

  • Discern the truth
  • Recognize the pretense
  • Perceive the reality
  • Not be taken in by

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal to semi-formal.
  • Common in discussions about people's character, intentions, or the validity of claims.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Ensure learners understand it's metaphorical (perceiving truth) and not literal (seeing through an object).

Examples

  • I could see through his false smiles; he was clearly upset.
  • We saw through their flimsy excuses immediately.
  • Experienced negotiators can often see through bluffing tactics.
  • She saw through the whole charade.

Dialogue

Manager 1: John claims he needs more time because the data was corrupted.

Manager 2: I see right through that excuse. He hasn't even started the analysis, has he?

Manager 1: Probably not. Let's ask to see the 'corrupted' files.

Social Media Examples

  • Tweet: You can just see through politicians who promise everything without a real plan. #Election2024 #Skeptic
  • Comment: Her fake apology tour isn't fooling anyone. We see right through it. #PRFail
  • Post: Learning to see through manipulative behavior is a crucial life skill. #Psychology #SelfHelp

Response Patterns

  • Agreement: Yeah, I got that feeling too. / Me too, it was obvious.
  • Sharing perception: What gave it away for you?
  • Confirmation: So you weren't fooled either?
  • Curiosity: What do you think they're really after?

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After stating you see through someone/something:

  • Explain your reasoning: I saw through him because he avoided eye contact.
  • Discuss the implications: So we know not to trust their offer.
  • Decide how to proceed: Let's pretend we don't know and see what happens. / We should confront them.

Conversation Starter

  • No. It's a statement about perception or understanding in a given context.

Intonation

  • Emphasis typically on see and through. Often includes right for emphasis.
  • I can SEE RIGHT THROUGH him.
  • She SAW THROUGH their plan.

Generation Differences

  • Widely used and understood across all generations.

Regional Variations

  • Common in all English-speaking regions. Slang alternatives like 'suss out' are regional.
Pull the wool over someone's eyes
🎲 Call someone's bluff