Is pull someone's leg rude?

Usually no. It is often friendly and playful, but it can feel rude if the joke goes too far.

What is the difference between pull someone's leg and lie?

Pull someone's leg is a joke. A lie is told to mislead, often seriously.

Is pull someone's leg common in spoken English?

Yes, it is common in everyday spoken English and informal writing.

Can I use pull someone's leg in business English?

Use it carefully. It is informal, so it fits casual work chat more than formal writing.

← Dictionary

pull-someone's-leg

/pʊl ˈsʌmwʌnz lɛɡ/

IELTSAcademic

idiom

To joke with someone by making them believe something untrue. The joke is usually friendly, not cruel.

Don't worry, I'm just pulling your leg.
Were you pulling my leg about the promotion?

Adinary Nuance

Pull someone's leg is lighter than lie, because the goal is to joke, not to deceive seriously. It is also different from tease: teasing can be repeated or a bit mean, while pulling someone's leg is usually one-time and funny. Use it when the other person should understand it was a joke.

In other languages

Vietnamese: trêu đùa
Spanish: tomar el pelo
Chinese: 开玩笑
Japanese: からかう
Korean: 농담하다

Etymology

This idiom is from English, first used in the late 1800s. Its exact origin is unclear, but the phrase came to mean playful joking.

Common phrases

just pulling your legwere you pulling my leg?pull somebody's leg

Synonyms

joke kid tease

Related words

prank hoax deceive banter

Frequently asked questions

Is pull someone's leg rude?: Usually no. It is often friendly and playful, but it can feel rude if the joke goes too far.
What is the difference between pull someone's leg and lie?: Pull someone's leg is a joke. A lie is told to mislead, often seriously.
Is pull someone's leg common in spoken English?: Yes, it is common in everyday spoken English and informal writing.
Can I use pull someone's leg in business English?: Use it carefully. It is informal, so it fits casual work chat more than formal writing.