pull my leg

USAGE SUMMARY

"pull my leg" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to someone joking or teasing another person. For example, "You can't really be serious - you're just trying to pull my leg, aren't you?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

They immediately pull my leg.

The Guardian - Books

There were no negative relationships - some were quite keen to pull my leg for being dad's son".

The Guardian

"When I went to pull my leg up, from the shin down it was just dangling there.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I tried to pull my legs back away from the metal canopy rails, but couldn't.

The New York Times

And I couldn't pull my legs up; they hurt too much.

The Guardian

I was hardly able to pull my legs out from under the desk, they had got so stiff from sitting.

The Guardian - Books

Kafka wrote in his diary, "I was hardly able to pull my legs out from under the desk, they had got so stiff from sitting.

The New Yorker

There's an episode where Homer's sinking slowly in a prehistoric swamp and says: "I'll just reach in and pull my legs out, and now I'll pull my arms out with my face".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Don't pull my legs!" I looked around, thinking, Props, because props always helped Tommy; they took his mind off trying to act.

Huffington Post

It's hard to think of a stupider plan: "First I'll just reach in and pull my legs out; now I'll pull my arms out with my face".

Vice

I tell him that I am, which he seems to take as a cue to pull my legs up until I'm hanging in the air at an angle, blood rushing to my brain.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pull my leg" in informal contexts when you want to express playful disbelief or suggest someone is joking.

Common error

Avoid using "pull my leg" in contexts where you are literally describing someone pulling your leg; the phrase is almost exclusively used idiomatically.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pull my leg" is as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI confirms its usage as a way to express disbelief or to question the truthfulness of a statement, implying that someone might be joking or teasing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Reference

33%

BBC

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pull my leg" is a common idiomatic expression used to express disbelief or suggest that someone is joking. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct, mostly appearing in informal contexts, particularly in News & Media. While its usage is widespread, being mindful of its informal nature is crucial. Consider alternatives such as "are you kidding me" or "you're teasing me" in more formal settings. Steer clear of literal interpretations to maintain clarity. This expression, although not the most frequent, offers a playful way to express skepticism in casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Are you kidding me?

Expresses disbelief or surprise, similar to suspecting someone is joking.

Are you joking?

Directly questions if someone is being serious or teasing.

You can't be serious

Implies disbelief and suggests the speaker thinks the other person is joking.

You're teasing me!

Accuses someone of playfully mocking or joking.

You're having me on!

British English equivalent, implying deception in a playful manner.

You're winding me up!

Another British English phrase for teasing or joking.

I don't believe you!

Expresses disbelief, implying the statement is false or improbable.

Is that true?

Questions the veracity of a statement, suggesting possible doubt.

Are you serious?

Questions the sincerity of someone's statement, hinting at disbelief.

I doubt that

Expresses skepticism about the truthfulness of a statement.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "pull my leg"?

When someone says "pull my leg", they mean you're joking or teasing them. It's an idiomatic expression indicating disbelief or suspicion that someone is being serious.

Is "pull my leg" formal or informal?

The phrase "pull my leg" is considered informal and is best used in casual conversations with friends, family, or acquaintances. Avoid using it in formal or professional settings.

What can I say instead of "pull my leg"?

You can use alternatives like "are you kidding me", "are you joking", or "you're teasing me" depending on the context.

Is it "pull my leg" or "pulling my leg"?

Both "pull my leg" and "pulling my leg" are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Pull my leg" is used as a standalone phrase to express disbelief, while "pulling my leg" is used when describing the action of someone teasing you (e.g., "Are you pulling my leg?").