Pull your leg Meaning in English

expression

US

UK

Definition

To jokingly try to make someone believe something that is not true, usually as a friendly joke.

Usage & Nuances

Informal, usually used in friendly or playful situations. Common collocations: 'Are you pulling my leg?', 'He was just pulling your leg.' Avoid with strangers or formal settings, as it implies tricking someone as a joke.

• Spanish: tomar el pelo
• Portuguese (BR): zoar - brincar (enganar de brincadeira)
• Portuguese (PT): gozar contigo - brincar (enganar de brincadeira)
• Chinese (Simplified): 开玩笑（骗人）
• Chinese (Traditional): 開玩笑（騙人）
• Hindi: मज़ाक करना (धोखा देकर)
• Arabic: يمازحك (بخفة أو بخداع لطيف)
• Bengali: মজা করা - ঠাট্টা করা
• Russian: разыгрывать - подшучивать
• Japanese: からかう - 冗談を言う
• Vietnamese: trêu chọc - đùa giỡn
• Korean: 장난치다 - 농담하다
• Turkish: kafa bulmak - şaka yapmak
• Urdu: مذاق کرنا - چھیڑنا
• Indonesian: menggoda - bercanda

Example Sentences

He likes to pull your leg about silly things.

basic

Don't be upset, I was just pulling your leg.

basic

You really believed that? Wow, I was totally pulling your leg!

natural

Relax, he's just pulling your leg again—don't take it seriously.

natural

Are you pulling my leg or is this true?

basic

If I tell you I won the lottery, I’m just pulling your leg.

natural