pull your leg
/ˌpʊl jə ˈleɡ/INFORMAL · B2
Meaning
to joke with someone by telling them something untrue
Examples
- 1Tom said he'd been offered a part in a film, but I think he was pulling my leg.
- 2Don't worry, I'm only pulling your leg — the exam isn't until next week.
- 3You've won a free holiday to Spain? Are you pulling my leg?
- 4On the first of April, Mia pulled Dad's leg by saying school had closed for a month.
- 5I almost believed Ben's story about a snake in the office, until he laughed and admitted he was pulling my leg.
Grammar
pull changes form: pulled, pulling; the continuous is common. your changes to name the person: my, his, Dad's.
More idioms about the body
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →a pain in the necka very annoying person or thingon the tip of your tonguealmost remembered, but not quiteoff the top of your headfrom memory, without checking or thinking for longkeep your fingers crossedto hope that something will go wellplay it by earto decide what to do as things happen, without a planrule of thumba rough practical guide based on experience
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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