1 B2 idiomatic informal
To succeed in deceiving or tricking someone.
"Did you really think you could put one across on me? I wasn't born yesterday."
inseparable
put one across
B2 informal inseparable transitive
To deceive or trick someone successfully.
In plain English
To fool someone or make them believe something that isn't true.
What does "put one across" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
Primarily British English. Usually used in negative constructions or with expressions of surprise: 'You can't put one across me.' The object is typically the person being deceived, introduced by 'on': 'put one across on someone.'
Words that pair with "put one across"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
me him her the boss the judge anyone
How to conjugate "put one across"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
put one across
I/you/we/they
3rd person
puts one across
he/she/it
Past simple
put one across
yesterday
Past participle
put one across
have + pp
-ing form
putting one across
continuous
Hear "put one across" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "put one across" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "put one across"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
con deceive fool outwit put one over on trick
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.