Imagine sitting through a “too-good-to-be-true” sales pitch, only to realize later that you were cleverly misled. That feeling of being fooled fits perfectly with the idiom “pull the wool over someone’s eyes.” It’s a colorful way to talk about deception that’s sneakier than it first seems. In this post, we’ll uncover its meaning, surprising origin, and show you how to use it like a native speaker.
Meaning of “Pull the Wool Over Someone’s Eyes”
To pull the wool over someone’s eyes means to trick, deceive, or mislead someone, often by making them believe something false. It implies that the person being deceived can’t “see” the truth clearly—like their eyes are covered.
In short: this idiom describes the act of hiding the truth to take advantage of someone’s trust.
Origin of “Pull the Wool Over Someone’s Eyes”
The expression dates back to the 18th century in England, when people commonly wore wool wigs—especially judges and aristocrats. The idea was that if someone literally pulled the wig (made of wool) down over another’s eyes, that person would be temporarily blinded and unable to see what was happening.
Another theory connects it to sheep wool—symbolizing softness or confusion—suggesting that someone “covered in wool” might not see clearly.
While its exact origin isn’t fully confirmed, most historians agree it’s rooted in British fashion and figurative language of the time. Over the years, it evolved into a metaphor for blinding someone to the truth.
Examples in Sentences
Here are several ways to use “pull the wool over someone’s eyes” in daily conversation:
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Casual: “Don’t try to pull the wool over my eyes—I know you ate the last slice of cake!”
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Formal: “The company’s misleading reports tried to pull the wool over investors’ eyes.”
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Workplace: “He thought he could pull the wool over the manager’s eyes, but she caught the error immediately.”
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Relationships: “She realized her ex had been pulling the wool over her eyes for months.”
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Media/Politics: “The documentary exposes how the government pulled the wool over the public’s eyes.”
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Humorous: “My dog pretends he’s asleep when I say ‘bath time’—as if he’s pulling the wool over my eyes!”
Similar Idioms or Phrases
Here are a few idioms that share a similar meaning to “pull the wool over someone’s eyes”:
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Lead someone up the garden path – To deliberately mislead or deceive someone.
“He led her up the garden path with promises he never intended to keep.” -
Take someone for a ride – To trick or cheat someone.
“That online seller really took me for a ride with that fake product!” -
Pull a fast one (on someone) – To successfully deceive someone quickly or cleverly.
“You really pulled a fast one on your teacher with that fake excuse!” -
String someone along – To deceive someone by keeping them waiting or hopeful.
“He’s been stringing her along about that job offer for weeks.”
Personal Insight
I find this idiom both witty and visual—it instantly brings to mind someone struggling to see while another person smirks nearby! It’s one of those phrases that captures human behavior perfectly. I’ve used it countless times when friends tell stories that sound just a bit too smooth to be true.
Conclusion
The idiom “pull the wool over someone’s eyes” is a colorful and clever way to describe deception—making someone believe something false by hiding the truth. Whether it’s in business, friendship, or everyday talk, this phrase reminds us to stay alert and question what we see.
Do you use “pull the wool over someone’s eyes” in your own conversations? Share your favorite examples in the comments below—I’d love to read them!