pulling the wool over someone's eyes

Definitions

• deceive or trick someone
  To intentionally deceive or trick someone, often by concealing the truth or presenting false information

• to hide the truth
  To conceal or obscure the truth from someone, often in order to manipulate or take advantage of them

Examples of pulling the wool over someone's eyes

• The salesperson convinced the customer that the product was of high quality by pulling the wool over his eyes with exaggerated claims and flashy marketing tactics.

  In this example, the idiom "pulling the wool over someone's eyes" means deceiving someone by making false or exaggerated claims. It implies that the salesperson is attempting to hide the true nature of the product by making it seem better than it actually is, in order to persuade the customer to make a purchase. This can be compared to the traditional method of shearing sheep by pulling the wool over their eyes, which makes it difficult for them to see and defend themselves. The salesperson is using similar tactics to mislead the customer.

• The politician promised a better future for the country by pulling the wool over the voters' eyes with empty promises and idealistic slogans.

  In this example, the idiom "pulling the wool over someone's eyes" is used to describe how the politician is attempting to mislead or deceive the voters. By making grandiose claims and promising things that are unlikely to be delivered, the politician is hiding the true situation and trying to paint a rosy picture of the future. This can be compared to the traditional method of shearing sheep by pulling the wool over their eyes, which makes it difficult for them to see and avoid the shearer. The voters are being blinded by the politician's promises, just as sheep are blinded by the wool on their eyes.

• The con artist convinced the victim to part with their money by pulling the wool over their eyes with a cleverly crafted scam.

  In this example, the idiom "pulling the wool over someone's eyes" is used to describe how the con artist is attempting to deceive the victim. By presenting a plausible but fake scenario, the con artist is trying to hide the true nature of the scam and persuade the victim to part with their money. This can be compared to the traditional method of shearing sheep by pulling the wool over their eyes, which makes it difficult for them to see and understand the situation. The victim is being blinded by the con artist's crafty scheme, just as sheep are blinded by the wool on their eyes.

• The magician entertained the audience by pulling the wool over their eyes with a dazzling illusion.

  In this example, the idiom "pulling the wool over someone's eyes" is used in a different context. It is employed to describe how the magician is using sleight of hand and other tricks to create an illusion that is visually stunning but ultimately deceptive. This can be compared to the traditional method of shearing sheep by pulling the wool over their eyes, which makes it difficult for them to see and understand the situation. The audience is being blinded by the magician's dazzling display, just as sheep are blinded by the wool on their eyes. However, unlike in the previous examples, this deception is not intended to mislead or trick the audience, but rather to entertain and amaze them.

• The salesman was pulling the wool over my eyes when he promised me a 50% discount on the product. I later realized that the offer was only valid for a limited time.

  The phrase "pulling the wool over someone's eyes" is used to describe someone who is trying to deceive or mislead another person. In this example, the salesman is using false promises and exaggerated claims to make the buyer believe that they are getting a great deal. However, the truth is revealed later, and the buyer realizes that they have been duped.

• The politician's promises during the election campaign were full of holes, and it's clear that he's been pulling the wool over the voters' eyes. His actions since taking office have shown that he's not as committed to his promises as he claimed to be.

  In this example, the phrase is used to describe someone who is making false statements in order to win support or influence others. The politician's actions before and after the election highlight the fact that his promises were not genuine, and that he was intentionally misleading the voters.

• His story about finding the lost items was so elaborate and convincing that I almost began to believe him, but then I saw through his attempts to pull the wool over my eyes. He was clearly hiding something.

  In this example, the person being deceived is able to recognize the attempted deception and call it out. The use of "almost" in this context implies that the deception was almost successful, but ultimately failed due to some clue or inconsistency.

• The conman was a master of pulling the wool over people's eyes. He convinced his victims to part with their money using a combination of charm, persuasion, and false promises.

  In this example, "master of" is used to describe someone who is particularly skilled or experienced in the act of deceiving others. The conman's success in this regard highlights the importance of being cautious and skeptical when dealing with unfamiliar or suspicious individuals.

Conclusion

The idiom "pulling the wool over someone's eyes" is used to describe the act of deceiving or tricking someone by hiding the truth or presenting false information. It can also be used to caution against being deceived or manipulated by others.

Origin of "pulling the wool over someone's eyes"

The origin of the idiom "pulling the wool over someone's eyes" can be traced back to the 17th century, when the phrase "to pull the wool over one's eyes" was first recorded. The expression is believed to have originated from the practice of using wool as a material for making wigs, which were commonly worn by wealthy individuals during that time period.

The act of pulling the wool over someone's eyes would involve deliberately concealing or distorting the truth, much like how a wig would conceal or alter a person's natural hair. Over time, the idiom evolved to its current form and came to be used figuratively to describe the act of deceiving or tricking someone by hiding the truth. Today, it is a widely recognized phrase that is used to caution against being deceived or manipulated by others.