Pull the wool over your eyes

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Meaning

To deceive or trick someone into believing something false, often by concealing the truth with charm or distraction, leaving them blind to reality. It suggests a deliberate act of manipulation.

Origin

From 19th-century Britain or America, tied to wool wigs worn by judges and gentry in the 1700s; 'pulling the wool' over eyes mimicked obscuring judgment. First printed in an 1839 American newspaper about a swindle, it may also link to shepherds fooling buyers with wool quality. It reflects a time of rising cons and skepticism, blending tactile imagery with the era's flair for colorful deceit metaphors.

Variants

  • Wool over your eyes
  • Pull the wool

Usage Examples

  • He pulled the wool over her eyes with that fake sob story.
  • They pulled the wool over our eyes about the product's flaws.
  • Don't let him pull the wool over your eyes; he's not sincere.

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