pull someone's leg
Meaning
To joke with someone by tricking them or teasing them so they believe something untrue for fun.
Origin
Recorded from the late 19th century. Likely arose from the idea of tricking someone by literally tripping them, and later became a figurative way to mean “tease/joke.”
Notes
Usually friendly teasing; implies you weren’t serious. Common in casual speech. Can sound rude if the topic is sensitive or the listener feels mocked.
Examples
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I thought you were serious, but you’re just pulling my leg.
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Don’t pull my leg—did you really meet the CEO?
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She said the test was canceled, but she was only pulling our leg.
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Are you pulling his leg, or is that story actually true?
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Stop pulling my leg and tell me what happened.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed pattern: pull + someone’s + leg. Pronoun changes (pull my/your/his leg). Tense can change (pulled, was pulling). Often used as a question/denial: “Are you pulling my leg?”
Synonyms
- kid
- tease
- joke around
- have someone on
- mess with someone
Antonyms
- tell the truth
- be serious
- speak plainly