Imagine trusting a “too good to be true” deal, only to find out your money’s gone and so is the seller. Ouch—that’s what it means to be taken for a ride! This colorful idiom captures the sting of being tricked, and today we’ll unpack its meaning, explore where it came from, and see how you can use it naturally in English conversation.
What Does “Take Someone for a Ride” Mean?
To take someone for a ride means to fool, cheat, or deceive them—usually by pretending to be friendly or honest first. It suggests that someone has been led into a situation they didn’t expect, often losing trust or money along the way.
It can also literally mean to drive someone somewhere, but when used idiomatically, it’s all about deception and trickery.
✅ Simple summary: “Take someone for a ride” = to deceive or mislead someone, often through charm or lies.
Where Did “Take Someone for a Ride” Come From?
The phrase has its roots in American gangster slang of the 1920s and 1930s. During that era, mobsters used the phrase quite literally—if someone was “taken for a ride,” it meant being driven somewhere against their will, often to meet a grim fate.
Over time, as the violent context faded, the expression softened into the figurative meaning we use today: being tricked, duped, or fooled. The core idea remained the same—a smooth start leading to a bad surprise.
“Take Someone for a Ride” in Real Sentences
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Casual: “I thought that online store was legit, but it totally took me for a ride.”
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Formal: “The investors realized too late that they had been taken for a ride by false advertising.”
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Friendly humor: “He said he could cook like Gordon Ramsay, but his burnt toast took us all for a ride!”
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Warning tone: “Be cautious—if it sounds too good to be true, someone might be taking you for a ride.”
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Reflective: “She trusted her business partner, but he took her for a ride and disappeared.”
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Literal: “We took our dog for a ride around the park this morning.”
Other Idioms That Mean “To Trick Someone”
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Pull the wool over someone’s eyes: To deceive or hide the truth from someone.
“He tried to pull the wool over my eyes with that fake story.” -
Lead someone up the garden path: To mislead someone into believing something false.
“She led him up the garden path with her fake promises.” -
Play someone for a sucker: To take advantage of someone who’s too trusting.
“The scammer played him for a sucker with that investment pitch.” -
String someone along: To keep deceiving someone over time, often to get something out of them.
“He strung her along for months, pretending he wanted to invest.”
PERSONAL TAKE
I love how this idiom paints a picture—being “taken for a ride” feels like going on a smooth journey only to find yourself lost! I often use it when talking about fake online offers or shady deals. It’s a fun, dramatic way to describe a not-so-fun situation.
WRAPPING IT UP
In short, “take someone for a ride” means being tricked, fooled, or misled—and its roots in 1920s gangster slang make it as colorful as it is useful. Whether it’s a con artist, a dishonest friend, or a “too good to be true” bargain, this idiom perfectly captures that moment when you realize you’ve been duped.
🚗💨 Have you ever been taken for a ride—literally or figuratively? Share your story in the comments below!