Definition

Verb (transitive or intransitive, often used with 'on'): - To deceive or trick someone, often in a mischievous or lighthearted way. The action involves using cunning or a scheme to make someone believe something that is not true or to make them the subject of a joke.

Usage

The phrase "play tricks" is typically followed by the preposition "on" to specify the target of the deception. It describes the act of executing a trick or deception. - Structure: play tricks on [someone/something]

Examples

• Verb:
  • The older children loved to play tricks on their younger siblings.
  • My mind must be playing tricks on me; I could have sworn I left my keys right here.
  • He played a clever trick on his friend by hiding his phone.

Advanced Usage

• "play its tricks": Used metaphorically for something non-human, like memory, perception, or fate, that deceives or causes confusion.
  • As he aged, his memory began to play its tricks, blending past and present.
• "play a trick/tricks": The singular "a trick" is commonly used interchangeably with the plural "tricks" in this idiom.
  • Are you trying to play a trick on me?

Variants and Related Words

• Trick (verb): To deceive or cheat someone.
  • He was tricked into signing the contract.
• Trick (noun): A cunning or deceitful action or scheme.
  • She saw through his clever trick.
• Prank (noun): A practical joke or mischievous act, often synonymous with a lighthearted trick.
  • The students planned a harmless prank for their teacher.

Synonyms

• Deceive: To cause someone to believe something that is not true.
• Prank: To play a trick on someone (used as a verb, e.g., "They pranked the new employee").
• Hoodwink: To deceive or trick someone.
• Bamboozle: To confuse or fool someone (informal).

Related Phrasal Verbs/Idioms

• Play a joke on someone: Similar to "play a trick," meaning to subject someone to a practical joke.
  • They decided to play a joke on him for his birthday.
• Pull someone's leg: To tease someone by telling them something untrue as a joke.
  • I'm just pulling your leg; I didn't really forget your present.
• Lead someone on: To deceive someone, especially about your intentions or feelings.
  • He led her on, making her think he was interested in a relationship.

Verb

1. deceive somebody
   • We tricked the teacher into thinking that class would be cancelled next week