unsuspecting dupe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unsuspecting dupe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is deceived or tricked without realizing it, often in contexts involving scams or manipulation. Example: "The con artist targeted an unsuspecting dupe, convincing them to invest in a fake business venture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Thus, as sung by Cole and then Krall a half-millennium later, "frim fram sauce" is the oleaginous goo of deceit poured over some unsuspecting dupe.

The New York Times - Magazine

This type of evidence can support a defense that he was an unsuspecting dupe and not a conspirator leaking inside information, especially when it is not apparent how he benefited from the Galleon trading.

The New York Times

The illusory nature of it, and the weird feeling of fulfillment that comes with making something disappear right in front of an unsuspecting dupe.

Vice

Every minute of every day feels like the pit-in-your-stomach moment in a horror movie where the unsuspecting dupe walks back in and says "there's no one in the garage" and second later stops a Samurai sword with his forehead.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

As usual, the most effective setups have a brute simplicity, like "The High Five," in which unsuspecting dupes are knocked flat on their backs by a giant swinging hand.

The New York Times

The majority of works inspected during the panel's six years, he said, were third-rate fakes that would reappear as soon as the owners sold them to other unsuspecting dupes.

The New York Times - Arts

Sepero, Provenzano, and Dragan (the "Co-Conspirators") told their unsuspecting dupes that they owned and controlled a proprietary Forex computer trading algorithm – one that had achieved over 170% returns for the two prior years!

Forbes

This makes the anti-phising group much more effective at stopping criminal gangs from using phasing to dupe unsuspecting users.

TechCrunch

Hordes of them duped unsuspecting lenders, don't you know, by falsifying their incomes on loan documents.

The New York Times

Ms. Ringler, the prosecutor, likened his television work to "duping unsuspecting members of the public in public places, often in New Jersey".

The New York Times

Fabrice Tourre has been painted by the Securities and Exchange Commission as one of the great villains of the financial crisis, a smart Goldman trader who duped unsuspecting investors into buying toxic real estate securities he knew were doomed to fail.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "gullible victim" or "naive target" for variety and to avoid repetition, while maintaining clarity.

Common error

While "unsuspecting dupe" is acceptable, it can sometimes sound informal or even slightly mocking. In formal writing, consider using more neutral terms like "victim of deception" or "unwitting participant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unsuspecting dupe" functions as a noun phrase, where "unsuspecting" modifies the noun "dupe". It describes a person who is being deceived and is unaware of it. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unsuspecting dupe" is used to describe someone who is easily deceived, often in scenarios involving scams or trickery. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct, though relatively rare. Primarily found in News & Media contexts, it highlights a person's vulnerability and lack of awareness. For more formal writing, alternatives like "victim of deception" may be preferable. While grammatically sound, careful consideration should be given to the context to ensure the phrase's register aligns with the intended tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gullible victim

Emphasizes the victim's naivety or readiness to believe something without sufficient evidence.

naive target

Focuses on the victim's lack of awareness and susceptibility to deception.

unsuspecting victim

Highlights the lack of awareness of the danger or deception.

easy mark

Implies the person is an obvious target for scams or trickery.

defenseless pawn

Stresses the lack of power and ability to protect oneself in a manipulative situation.

trusting soul

Highlights the positive trait of trust being exploited.

credulous individual

Focuses on the person's tendency to believe readily without questioning.

exploitable person

Highlights that the person is prone to being treated unfairly in order to benefit someone else.

prey

Emphasizes a predator-prey relationship where someone is hunted or taken advantage of.

mark

A slang term for someone who is targeted in a con or swindle.

FAQs

How can I use "unsuspecting dupe" in a sentence?

You can use "unsuspecting dupe" to describe someone who is easily tricked or deceived without realizing it. For example, "The con artist targeted an "unsuspecting dupe", convincing them to invest in a fake business venture."

What are some alternatives to "unsuspecting dupe"?

Alternatives include "naive target", "gullible victim", or "unsuspecting victim" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "unsuspecting dupe" formal or informal?

The phrase "unsuspecting dupe" is generally considered informal. In formal contexts, it is better to use phrases like "victim of deception" or "unwitting participant".

What does "unsuspecting dupe" imply?

It implies that the person is not only being tricked but also is unaware of the deception, making them vulnerable and easily manipulated.