Make a fool of Meaning in English
expression
ˈmeɪk/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈfuɫ/ /ˈəv
MAYK uh FOOL uhv
mˈeɪk/ /æɪ/ /fˈuːl/ /ˈɒv
MAYK uh FOOL ov
Definition
To trick, embarrass, or ridicule someone so that they look silly or stupid in front of others.
Usage & Nuances
Usually used in informal or spoken English. Common in phrases like 'don't make a fool of yourself.' Implies intentional embarrassment or ridicule. Not as strong or offensive as 'humiliate.'
Spanish: dejar en ridículo - poner en evidenciaPortuguese (BR): fazer de bobo - ridicularizarPortuguese (PT): fazer figura de parvo - ridicularizarChinese (Simplified): 让...出丑 - 让...出洋相Chinese (Traditional): 讓...出醜 - 讓...出洋相Hindi: मज़ाक बनाना - बेइज़्ज़त करनाArabic: يُحرِج - يُهين - يجعله يبدو أحمقBengali: বোকা বানানো - অপদস্থ করাRussian: выставить дураком - осмеятьJapanese: 笑い者にする - ばかにするVietnamese: làm cho ai đó trở nên ngớ ngẩn - làm trò cười cho ai đóKorean: 바보로 만들다 - 웃음거리로 만들다Turkish: rezil etmek - alay konusu yapmakUrdu: بیوقوف بنانا - مذاق اُڑاناIndonesian: mempermalukan - memperbodohkan
Example Sentences
Please don't make a fool of me in front of my friends.
basic
He tried to make a fool of his teacher by playing a prank.
basic
I don't want to make a fool of myself at the party.
basic
She laughed off his attempt to make a fool of her during the meeting.
natural
If you think you can make a fool of everyone, you're wrong.
natural
They set him up just to make a fool of him on camera.
natural