be made a fool

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be made a fool" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is tricked or embarrassed, often in a social context. Example: "He was afraid that if he spoke up, he would be made a fool in front of his peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

To be robbed is to be made a fool of.

The New Yorker

I didn't want to go on The X Factor and be made a fool of.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The politician only wanted to impress his guest and not be made a fool of by the food.

The New Yorker

"No, because you've got a programme labelled Benefits Street – in my mind, whoever's going to be on that show is going to be made a fool of, 'cos that's what they normally do.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

You'll be made a fool of".

Huffington Post

Stephanie Wright was not going to be made a fool.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

If you dread being made a fool of, you will steer clear of art altogether.

The New Yorker

That's journalese for "I'm afraid of being made a fool of".

The New York Times

"I don't like being made a fool," the former military physician, told the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

The Guardian

"People felt like they were made a fool of," Albert says, her voice rising.

The Guardian - Film

Similarly, the idea that specific races deserve special protection has also been made a fool of by the melting pot.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "be made a fool" when you want to emphasize the action of someone being tricked or publicly embarrassed, rather than simply stating they are foolish.

Common error

Avoid using "be made a fool of by myself/yourself/himself/herself" when you actually want to indicate the subject is foolish, because the phrase implies an external actor is responsible for making a fool of them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be made a fool" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone is the recipient of an action that causes them to appear foolish or be ridiculed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, with examples showing it in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be made a fool" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction, indicating someone is being tricked or ridiculed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s versatile, fitting into a range of contexts, particularly News & Media. To avoid potential errors, focus on its passive nature: the subject receives the action of being made a fool, usually by an external force. For alternatives, consider "be ridiculed" or "be humiliated", depending on the nuance you aim to convey. When writing, keep in mind that while frequent, proper application ensures clarity and prevents misinterpretation of intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be made a laughingstock

Highlights the consequence of being ridiculed, emphasizing the loss of respect and the object of widespread mockery.

be humiliated

Stresses the feeling of shame and loss of dignity experienced by the person.

be ridiculed

Focuses on the act of being mocked or laughed at, emphasizing public humiliation.

be played for a sucker

Emphasizes the naivety or gullibility of the person being deceived, portraying them as an easy target.

be duped

Highlights the act of being tricked or deceived, often for personal gain by the deceiver.

be taken for a ride

An idiomatic expression suggesting that someone has been exploited or deceived in a significant way.

be hoodwinked

Suggests being deceived or tricked in a subtle or cunning way, often involving concealment or disguise.

be deceived

Emphasizes the act of being misled or given false information, leading to a mistaken belief or action.

be bamboozled

Implies being thoroughly confused or tricked, often by elaborate or deceptive means.

be led astray

Focuses on being misguided or influenced to deviate from the correct path or course of action.

FAQs

How to use "be made a fool" in a sentence?

You can use "be made a fool" to describe a situation where someone is tricked or embarrassed. For example: "He was afraid that if he spoke up, he would "be made a fool" in front of his peers".

What can I say instead of "be made a fool"?

You can use alternatives like "be ridiculed", "be duped", or "be humiliated" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "be made a fool" and "look foolish"?

"Be made a fool" implies an external agent or circumstance caused someone to appear foolish, while "look foolish" simply means someone appears foolish, regardless of the cause.

Is it better to use "be made a fool of" or "be made a fool"?

"Be made a fool of" and "be made a fool" are often used interchangeably, but the inclusion of "of" can add emphasis to the action being done to the subject. Both are grammatically sound.