pull someone's leg
Say it: pull someone's LEG /ˌpʊl ˌsʌmwʌnz ˈlɛɡ/ · idiom
What “pull someone's leg” means
Playfully fool someone by telling them something untrue.
More precisely: To tease or joke with someone by telling them something untrue.
Example: “Relax, I'm pulling your leg: the meeting isn't really at 6 a.m.”
When to use it
In informal conversation, for friendly teasing through an invented claim. Saying it often reassures someone that you were joking.
Similar words
tease, kid, wind up
Quick check
You jokingly tell your cousin that your ordinary goldfish can sing, then laugh and admit you made it up. Which phrase fits?
pull someone's leg or lead someone on?
Show the answer
pull someone's leg
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