What Does “Pull the Wool Over One’s Eyes” Really Mean?

Have you ever felt tricked or misled by someone who seemed trustworthy? That’s when you might hear the phrase “pull the wool over one’s eyes.” This colorful idiom pops up in conversations about deception, especially when someone hides the truth or fools another person. But where does it come from—and how can you use it naturally?

📘 Meaning

The meaning of “pull the wool over one’s eyes” is to deceive someone or hide the truth from them, often to gain an advantage. It’s one of those common idioms and expressions that paints a vivid picture of someone being blinded—literally or figuratively—by trickery.

In simple terms, if someone pulls the wool over your eyes, they’re trying to fool you so you don’t see what’s really going on.

🕰️ Origin

This idiom likely dates back to the 18th century, when people wore wool wigs as part of formal fashion. The idea is that someone could pull the wig (or wool) down over another’s eyes, blocking their vision—just like a magician distracting you while hiding the real trick.

✏️ Examples in Sentences

The scammer pulled the wool over her eyes with a fake investment scheme.
Don’t let flashy ads pull the wool over your eyes—read the fine print!
He pretended to be an expert, but he was just pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes.

💡 Usage Tips

Use this idiom when talking about deception, trickery, or being misled. It’s great for storytelling, warnings, or describing situations where someone isn’t seeing the truth. Avoid using it in formal writing—it's best for casual or conversational English.

🎉 Fun Fact

In some British slang, “wool” can refer to someone who’s easily fooled. So if someone’s always getting tricked, they might be called “a bit of wool”!

🧵 Conclusion

To “pull the wool over one’s eyes” means to deceive someone or keep them from seeing the truth. It’s a vivid, useful idiom that adds color to your English conversations—especially when talking about clever tricks or hidden motives.

💬 Did you enjoy learning about this idiom? Explore more idioms and their meanings here to boost your English skills!

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