pull someone's leg

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "pull someone's leg" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
The expression is used to describe an act of teasing someone by telling them an untrue story as a joke. Example: "My dad told me he had won the lottery, but I think he was just pulling my leg."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We break Rule 1 when for a laugh we exaggerate wildly, say the opposite of what we think, or "pull someone's leg".

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I would never pull on someone's legs so I would never assume someone would do it to me".

Independent

"They pull someone over every night".

The New Yorker

The scarf can grab the ground, a tree, a wall, someone's leg -- absolutely anything -- and stretch and pull it in all directions.

The New York Times - Tech

"I was on someone's leg.

The New York Times - Sports

As for the elephant burial, someone had been pulling Dr. Nagle's leg, Mr. Torchio said, laughing.

The New York Times

So not only are you swimming upstream, you have someone pulling on your leg: the new guy, the weight of the new guy".

The New York Times - Arts

Would you like it if someone pulled your leg hair?

WikiHow

Hope: Listen, Dottie — You can pull my right leg and you can pull my left leg.

The New Yorker

This will pull your left leg straight.

WikiHow

"Do not" pull the horses leg out toward you.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pull someone's leg" when you want to express that you are teasing someone in a playful, non-malicious way. It's best suited for informal contexts where humor is appreciated.

Common error

Avoid using "pull someone's leg" when the intention is to seriously deceive or harm. The phrase implies a lighthearted jest, not malicious deception.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pull someone's leg" is as an idiomatic verb phrase. It acts as a verb, taking a direct object (someone) and conveying a specific meaning that differs from the literal meanings of the individual words. Ludwig AI confirms its validity as a standard English idiom.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pull someone's leg" is a common English idiom used to describe the act of teasing or joking with someone in a playful way. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is grammatically correct and widely understood. While it appears in diverse contexts, it is most frequently found in news and media sources. Remember to use it appropriately in informal settings to convey humor and lightheartedness. Avoid using it if the intent is to cause genuine deception or harm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Kid someone

Focuses on playful deception, similar to a gentle joke.

Tease someone

Emphasizes lighthearted mockery or playful provocation.

Joke with someone

Highlights the act of telling jokes or engaging in humorous banter.

Play a trick on someone

Focuses on the execution of a prank or practical joke.

Fool someone

Implies a slightly stronger level of deception, though not necessarily malicious.

Make fun of someone

Highlights ridicule or mockery, which can be playful or malicious depending on the context.

Deceive someone playfully

Specifies that the deception is done in a lighthearted manner.

Lead someone on

Suggests guiding someone into believing something untrue, often regarding romantic interest or other expectations.

Take someone for a ride

Involves deceiving or cheating someone, often for personal gain.

Mislead someone

Indicates causing someone to have a wrong idea or impression.

FAQs

What does it mean to "pull someone's leg"?

To "pull someone's leg" means to tease or joke with them, often by telling them something untrue in a playful way. It's a harmless form of deception intended to be amusing.

How can I use "pull someone's leg" in a sentence?

You might say, "I told him I won a million dollars, but I was just "pulling his leg"." This indicates you were teasing him with a false claim.

What are some similar expressions to "pull someone's leg"?

Alternatives include "kid someone", "tease someone", or "joke with someone". These phrases convey a similar sense of playful deception or lighthearted banter.

Is "pull someone's leg" appropriate in formal settings?

No, "pull someone's leg" is generally considered an informal expression. It's best reserved for casual conversations with friends, family, or colleagues you know well. In formal settings, avoid using idioms.