Idiom B2 Informal

Pull the wool over someone's eyes

To deceive or trick someone; to hide the truth from a person in order to mislead them

Meaning

Pull the wool over someone's eyes — To deceive or trick someone; to hide the truth from a person so that they fail to see what is really happening and are misled.

Origin & History

The idiom dates from the 1800s and is usually traced to the woollen wigs that were widely worn at the time. The expression draws on the image of pulling a person's wig — the "wool" — down over their eyes, leaving them temporarily blinded and unable to see what was going on around them.

From that literal picture of blocking someone's sight, the phrase took on its figurative meaning of blinding a person to the truth — that is, deceiving or tricking them. It has remained a popular and vivid way to describe deception ever since, and the "wool" element is fixed and never varies.

Example Sentences

SentenceContext
Don't let that salesman pull the wool over your eyes — read the contract carefully before you sign.Warning about deception
The company tried to pull the wool over investors' eyes with misleading figures.Business dishonesty
You can't pull the wool over her eyes; she always spots a lie.Someone who is hard to fool
He thought he could pull the wool over the inspector's eyes, but the records gave him away.Failed deception
The scammers pulled the wool over hundreds of people's eyes before being caught.Fraud and scams
I'm not trying to pull the wool over your eyes — this really is the best price.Reassuring honesty

How to Use It

This idiom is informal and works best in conversation, journalism, and informal writing about deception or dishonesty. The structure is usually pull the wool over + possessive + eyes, where the possessive changes to fit the person being deceived — my eyes, your eyes, his / her eyes, their eyes. It is often used in warnings, with don't let someone pull the wool over your eyes.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes to Avoid

He pulled the cotton over my eyes.

He pulled the wool over my eyes. — The fixed form always uses 'wool', never 'cotton' or 'fur'.

She pulled the wool over my face.

She pulled the wool over my eyes. — The idiom refers to the 'eyes', not the 'face'.

They pulled wool over their eyes about the deal.

They pulled the wool over their eyes about the deal. — Do not drop 'the'; the article is part of the fixed phrase.

Similar Idioms

Take someone for a ride Lead someone up the garden path Throw dust in someone's eyes Pull a fast one All Idioms →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Pull the wool over someone's eyes" mean?
"Pull the wool over someone's eyes" means to deceive someone. It describes the act of tricking a person or hiding the truth from them so that they do not realise what is really happening.
Where does the idiom "Pull the wool over someone's eyes" come from?
The idiom dates from the 1800s and refers to the woollen wigs that were commonly worn at the time. The image is of pulling a person's wig — the 'wool' — down over their eyes to blind them temporarily, and so to deceive or trick them.
Can you give an example of "Pull the wool over someone's eyes" in a sentence?
Here is an example: "Don't let that salesman pull the wool over your eyes — read the contract carefully before you sign." — used to warn someone that they are about to be deceived.
Is "Pull the wool over someone's eyes" formal or informal?
It is an informal expression. It is common in everyday conversation and informal writing, and also appears in journalism when describing deception, but it is too colloquial for formal academic writing.
What CEFR level is "Pull the wool over someone's eyes"?
This idiom is typically taught at B2 level. It is an upper-intermediate expression that appears frequently in spoken English, journalism, and informal writing about deception and dishonesty.
What are common mistakes with "Pull the wool over someone's eyes"?
A common mistake is using 'cotton' or 'fur' instead of 'wool'. The fixed form always uses 'wool'. For example: He pulled the cotton over my eyes is incorrect. The correct form is: He pulled the wool over my eyes.
What idioms are similar to "Pull the wool over someone's eyes"?
Similar idioms include: Take someone for a ride, Lead someone up the garden path, Throw dust in someone's eyes, Pull a fast one. These share the idea of deceiving or tricking someone.
How do I practise idioms like "Pull the wool over someone's eyes"?
LexFizz's Flash Cards and Flip Tiles exercises are great for practising English idioms. Try writing your own example sentences using the idiom in context, and listen for it in films, podcasts, and conversations.
Can "Pull the wool over someone's eyes" be used in writing?
Yes, in informal writing and journalism. Avoid it in formal academic writing unless you are intentionally quoting or discussing the idiom itself. In opinion pieces, blogs, and reports about scams or deception it is a natural and expressive choice.
Does "Pull the wool over someone's eyes" have the same meaning in British and American English?
Yes, "Pull the wool over someone's eyes" is understood in both British and American English with the same meaning: to deceive or trick someone. The idiom is widely recognised across all major varieties of English.