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Pull Someone's Leg

What Does "Pull Someone's Leg" Mean?

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"Pull someone's leg" is an English idiom. It means "to play a joke or trick on someone by making a false or exaggerated statement to see if they believe it."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "pull someone's leg" used in a sentence:
  • She couldn't resist pulling his leg by telling him that unicorns were real and lived in her backyard.
  • He was known for pulling people's legs with tall tales and humorous anecdotes.
  • It's all in good fun when you pull someone's leg, but make sure they know it's a joke afterward.
meaning for pull someone's leg

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Pull Someone's Leg" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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