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."
separable
pull one over
B2 informal separable transitive
To successfully deceive or trick someone.
In plain English
To trick someone or make them believe something false.
What does "pull one over" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Possibly derived from 'pull the wool over someone's eyes' — obscuring someone's vision so they cannot see the truth.
Actually means
To trick someone or make them believe something false.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "pull one over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
boss teacher judge audience inspector examiner
How to conjugate "pull one over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "pull one over" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "pull one over" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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