Definition

Verb (Phrasal Verb): - To deceive or trick someone, often in a clever or sneaky way: This phrase means to successfully fool or cheat someone, typically through cunning or a dishonest scheme.

Usage

This phrasal verb is informal and is used to describe an act of deception. It implies the deception was executed skillfully, catching the victim off guard. - It is transitive and requires a direct object (the person being deceived). - Often used in past tense to describe a completed trick.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a tone of grudging admiration for the trickster's cleverness, even when criticizing the dishonesty.
• It can be used in a wide range of contexts, from minor pranks to serious financial fraud.

Variants and Related Words

• Pull a stunt on (someone): To do something foolish, daring, or deceptive.
• Put one over on (someone): A very close synonym meaning to deceive or outsmart someone.

Synonyms

• Trick: To deceive or outwit.
• Deceive: To cause someone to believe something that is not true.
• Hoodwink: To deceive or trick.
• Bamboozle: To confuse or fool someone.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Take in: To deceive or cheat.
  • We were taken in by his smooth talk.
• Do out of: To cheat someone out of something.
  • He did me out of my fair share.

Related Idioms

• Pull the wool over someone's eyes: To deceive someone.
  • You can't pull the wool over my eyes; I know what's really going on.
• Lead someone up the garden path: To mislead or deceive someone.
• Get one over on (someone): Similar to "put one over on," meaning to gain an advantage over someone, often by deception.

Verb

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