WordValepull someone's leg
to tease someone playfully
In more detail
(idiom) to joke or tease someone by telling them something that is not true as if it were true, often for fun or entertainment
Examples
- He said he won the lottery, but he was just pulling my leg.
How to use pull someone's leg
This idiom is used to describe playful teasing or joking, typically when someone deliberately tells another person something false in a lighthearted way. It suggests the intent is humorous rather than malicious, though the person being teased may temporarily believe the false claim. It's common in informal conversation and appears frequently in dialogue.
Common phrases
- pull someone's leg
- just pulling your leg
- are you pulling my leg
- don't pull my leg
Synonyms
kid someone · tease someone · joke with someone · fool someone · have someone on
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with 'having someone on' but may not recognize that 'pull someone's leg' specifically emphasizes the false claim aspect, whereas the intention can be clearer in context.
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