pull one over
B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To trick someone or make them believe something false.
Literal meaning: Possibly derived from 'pull the wool over someone's eyes' — obscuring someone's vision so they cannot see the truth.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To trick or deceive someone successfully, often making them look foolish.
"Don't try to pull one over on the inspector — she's seen every trick in the book."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Usually used as 'pull one over on someone'. The full form 'pull the wool over someone's eyes' is the more formal idiomatic equivalent. Mostly American English. Implies the deceiver feels clever.
Commonly used with
boss teacher judge audience inspector examiner
Forms
Base
pull one over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pulls one over
he/she/it
Past simple
pulled one over
yesterday
Past participle
pulled one over
have + pp
-ing form
pulling one over
continuous
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