make a fool of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a fool of" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has been tricked, deceived, or made to look foolish. It can also mean to play a prank or practical joke on someone. Example: "I can't believe John made a fool of me in front of the whole class by telling them fake gossip about me." Another example: "The magician's tricks were so convincing that he made a fool of the entire audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Trying to make a fool of me.

The New Yorker

"So make a fool of yourself".

The New York Times - Arts

No, I can't make a fool of myself!" he decides.

The New Yorker

She accepts and proceeds to make a fool of herself.

The New Yorker

"They're not going to make a fool of us".

The New York Times

You shouldn't let them make a fool of you either.

The Guardian - Music

In short, being prepared to make a fool of himself.

The Guardian

"Did I make a fool of myself?" she asked.

The New Yorker

"I didn't want to make a fool of myself".

The New York Times

I don't want to make a fool of myself, either.

The New York Times - Sports

4. Don't allow the literary establishment to make a fool of itself over you.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make a fool of", ensure the context clearly indicates who is being made to look foolish and why. Proper context avoids ambiguity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "make a fool of" when the situation involves genuine error or unintentional mistake. This phrase is better suited for situations involving intentional deception or significant misjudgment that leads to public embarrassment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a fool of" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. Ludwig AI identifies its usage in contexts where someone causes another to appear ridiculous or is tricked. It often conveys a sense of deception or public embarrassment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

26%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make a fool of" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe the act of causing someone to appear ridiculous or foolish, often through deception or public embarrassment. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and sees frequent use in news and media, as well as informal contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the register and choose more formal alternatives for academic or professional settings. Remember to provide clear context and avoid using it in situations involving unintentional errors. Ludwig AI analysis underscores its role in everyday language and its prevalence across varied sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make someone look ridiculous

This alternative is a more literal and less idiomatic phrasing.

play someone for a fool

This implies deception and manipulation, leading someone to act foolishly without their awareness.

make a laughingstock of

This alternative is more emphatic, highlighting the public ridicule involved.

expose to ridicule

This alternative emphasizes the act of revealing someone in a way that invites mockery.

ridicule

This is a more direct and less idiomatic way of expressing the act of making someone appear foolish.

humiliate

This alternative focuses on the act of damaging someone's pride or dignity.

put someone to shame

This suggests causing someone to feel embarrassed or humiliated.

degrade

This term implies a lowering of status or character, similar to making someone appear foolish.

dupe

This suggests deceiving or tricking someone, often resulting in them looking foolish.

discredit

This suggests undermining someone's reputation or authority, which can result from looking foolish.

FAQs

How can I use "make a fool of" in a sentence?

You can use "make a fool of" to describe someone causing another to appear ridiculous, for example: "He didn't want to "make a fool of himself" during the presentation."

What are some alternatives to "make a fool of"?

Depending on the context, you might use phrases like "make a laughingstock of", "ridicule", or "humiliate".

Is it better to say "make a fool of" or "making a fool of"?

Both "make a fool of" and "making a fool of" are grammatically correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Make a fool of" is often used in the infinitive form, while "making a fool of" is used in continuous tenses or as a gerund.

How formal is the phrase "make a fool of"?

The phrase "make a fool of" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversation and less formal writing. For more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "discredit" or "undermine".