pull one's leg

The expression pull one's leg is one of the idioms that often finds a place in our literature and enriches our language. However, its meaning is not fully understood, so it is sometimes used in the wrong situations. Please review the explanation carefully for the correct use of the pull one's leg idiom.

Meaning of "pull one's leg"

Meaning

‘Pull one's leg’ is an idiomatic expression in English that refers to deceiving someone by telling them something that is not true, usually as a joke. It generally implies that the speaker is teasing or teasing someone in a friendly way.

Etymology

The phrase was first used in the late 1800s. It is thought to have originated from the idea that a person is being ‘pulled’ or ‘leg-pulled’ by someone, as if their leg were being pulled by a string.

Usage

The phrase is used today in a friendly and humorous way. It can be used to tell someone a ‘white lie’ or to make a joke out of a situation. It can also be used to describe someone who is known to frequently tell stories that are not true.

Example Sentences

• "Don't believe everything he tells you—he likes to pull your leg."
• "Jack was pulling my leg when he said he'd won the lottery."
• "He's always pulling people's legs, you know he can't be serious."

Idioms with similar meaning

"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an English idiom that means you shouldn't make assumptions about someone or something based solely on its appearance. In Japanese, the similar idiom is "Hana yori dango," which translates to "Dumplings rather than flowers." This idiom means that substance is more important than appearance.