dupe

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "dupe" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to someone being deceived or tricked. Example: "He was a dupe in their elaborate scheme." Alternative expressions include "fool," "pawn," and "victim."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Newsmen gathered like sharks in New York, expecting a Soviet dupe, a hick or a bighead.

The Economist

"What you are is you are a dupe".

The Economist

Spammers use shortened addresses to dupe internet users into clicking on infected or bogus sites.

The Economist

Even if only a small fraction are snared, it is still a lucrative ploy: their own charges are small since they never give their quarry a chance to answer.Others dupe callers into providing credit-card numbers.

The Economist

Now he can add the fact that he warned America against putting a corporate dupe in Washington.

The Economist

From the left, Thomas Frank (in his book "What's the Matter with Kansas?") argued that the reason why the Republicans have done so well in that state and by extension across the board in meat-and-potatoes America is that they have used values to dupe ordinary Americans into voting against their interests.

The Economist

Facing a tough re-election fight, Mr Sarkozy last week declared that Europe should not be a "dupe" when it came to global trade, and proposed EU import taxes to help pay for European welfare systems.Germany's priority is rules establishing unprecedented oversight of euro-zone economies.

The Economist

(It said it had uncovered a plot in which some of the ink had been smuggled into the country, apparently in an opposition attempt to dupe potential voters into disqualifying themselves through premature inking).One reason for Mr Badawi's debacle is that, for once, the opposition did not cut its own throat.

The Economist

And if Mr Abbas compromises with Mr Netanyahu, he will be accused of betrayal by Hamas, the extremist half of the Palestinian movement which he does not control and which already denounces him as an American dupe.

The Economist

It offered confidence tricksters a fresh audience of suckers who had previously hid too far afield to dupe (they were also, helpfully, too far away to seek retribution).Babbage recalls chain letters received by his parents when he was a child.

The Economist

New arrivals are still trickling into the Thai camps following the latest such attack, earlier this year.In this section A little solidarity Abe steps up An internal affair A dope dupe A burden but also a boon ReprintsOne fugitive Karen says she was a teenager when her family was among the first to arrive in Mae La, in 1984.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dupe" as a verb, ensure the context clearly indicates who is being deceived and what method is being used. For example, "The scammer attempted to "dupe" elderly individuals with fake lottery winnings."

Common error

Avoid overly passive constructions when using "dupe". Instead of saying "He was duped by the con artist", a more direct and impactful phrasing is "The con artist duped him". This makes the sentence more concise and emphasizes the action of deceiving.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dupe" is as both a verb (to deceive) and a noun (a person who is deceived). Ludwig provides examples of both usages, showing its flexibility in different sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Reference

7%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "dupe" functions both as a verb, meaning to deceive, and as a noun, referring to someone who has been deceived. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very commonly used across various contexts. Predominantly featured in News & Media and Encyclopedias, its usage extends to Formal & Business settings as well. While its core meaning revolves around deception, related phrases like "be fooled" or "be tricked" offer nuanced alternatives. Best practice involves using "dupe" in active constructions for clarity, while avoiding overly passive phrasings. With examples showcasing its diverse application, "dupe" remains a versatile term for portraying trickery and manipulation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be fooled

Focuses on the action of being deceived, similar to being a "dupe".

be tricked

Emphasizes the act of being deceived through trickery, akin to being a "dupe".

be deceived

Highlights the state of being misled, paralleling the experience of a "dupe".

be hoodwinked

Suggests deception through trickery or misdirection, similar to being a "dupe".

be swindled

Implies being cheated out of something, often money, aligning with the concept of being a "dupe".

be exploited

Focuses on being taken advantage of, which is a consequence of being a "dupe".

be manipulated

Stresses the control exerted over someone, leading to their deception as a "dupe".

be taken advantage of

Highlights the unfair treatment and exploitation, similar to the situation of a "dupe".

fall victim to

Emphasizes the negative outcome of being deceived, synonymous with being a "dupe".

be a pawn

Indicates being used by others for their purposes, often without realizing it, similar to being a "dupe".

FAQs

How can I use "dupe" in a sentence?

You can use "dupe" as a verb meaning to deceive or trick someone, or as a noun referring to a person who has been deceived. Example: "The con artist tried to "dupe" the investor" (verb); "He realized he was a "dupe" in their scheme" (noun).

What can I say instead of "dupe"?

You can use alternatives like "be fooled", "be tricked", or "be deceived" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "dupe" or "victim"?

While both terms relate to being harmed by someone's actions, "dupe" specifically implies deception or trickery, while "victim" is a broader term that encompasses any harm or suffering. Use "dupe" when the person was tricked, and "victim" when the harm wasn't necessarily the result of deception.

What's the difference between "dupe" and "deceive"?

"Deceive" is the action of misleading someone, while "dupe" can refer to both the act of deceiving and the person who is deceived. You "deceive" someone to make them a "dupe".