pulling someone's leg

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pulling someone's leg" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to indicate that someone is joking or teasing another person. Example: "I thought he was serious about quitting his job, but he was just pulling my leg." Alternative expressions include "playing a prank" and "joking around."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps someone is pulling someone's leg--or toe--on this one...

Los Angeles Times

So to pull someone's leg means to fool or trick them but in a fun way.

BBC

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

SEP

"Somebody is pulling somebody's leg," he said.

The New York Times

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

Independent

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

The New York Times

"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

I have a family that likes pulling people's legs.

Harvard Business Review

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "pulling someone's leg" to indicate lighthearted teasing or joking, ensuring the context is appropriate for informal communication.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "pulling someone's leg" in situations where serious deception or dishonesty is involved, as it can downplay the severity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic expression "pulling someone's leg" serves as a means of conveying a playful deception or lighthearted teasing. It's a common way to indicate that a statement should not be taken seriously, as supported by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Wiki

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Academia

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Social Media

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pulling someone's leg" is an idiomatic expression used to describe playfully teasing or joking with someone. While grammatically sound, Ludwig indicates that it has a informal tone and is suitable for casual contexts rather than formal writing. Alternative expressions include "teasing someone" or "joking with someone". This phrase serves primarily to create amusement or to playfully mislead. Although Ludwig's examples are limited, the analyzed sources suggest widespread use in news, general media and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kidding someone

A simpler way to express the action of joking or teasing.

having someone on

A more colloquial way of saying that someone is being deceived or teased.

joking with someone

Emphasizes the playful and humorous intention behind the statement or action.

teasing someone

Focuses on gentle mockery, a less intense form of deception.

fooling someone

Highlights the act of deceiving, though not necessarily with malicious intent.

playing a prank on someone

Highlights the act of performing a trick for amusement.

taking someone for a ride

Implies a more elaborate and often unfair deception.

misleading someone

Suggests guiding someone to a wrong conclusion, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

deceiving someone

Indicates a more serious act of misleading, potentially with harmful consequences.

telling someone a tall tale

Focuses on exaggerating or fabricating a story for amusement.

FAQs

What does "pulling someone's leg" mean?

The expression "pulling someone's leg" means to tease or joke with someone in a playful way, often by telling them something untrue.

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

You can use it like this: "I thought he was serious, but he was just "pulling my leg"."

Is "pulling someone's leg" formal or informal?

"Pulling someone's leg" is an informal expression, best suited for casual conversations and friendly banter. In formal settings, it's best to use more direct language such as "teasing someone" or "joking with someone".

What are some alternatives to "pulling someone's leg"?

Alternatives include "teasing someone", "joking with someone", or "kidding someone", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.