Meaning
To pull someone's leg is to tell them something untrue as a joke, to see if they'll believe it. It's gentle, friendly lying for fun, never to hurt or cheat anyone. The picture is playful: you tug at someone's leg so they wobble for a second, then you both laugh. You hear it most in two forms: "I'm pulling your leg" when you confess, and "Are you pulling my leg?" when you suspect a joke.
It is informal and warm, and fine with friends, family and relaxed coworkers. It only works when the truth comes out fast. If you keep the joke going too long, or the person could lose money, time or face because of it, it stops being leg-pulling and starts being a lie. A good rule: pull a leg, then let go within a minute.
In a conversation
- Oliver
- Mia
- Oliver
- Mia
- Oliver
- Mia
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Check yourself
Practice · 3 min
Listen, then repeat. Stress "leg". "Are you pulling my leg?" rises at the end, half laughing.
Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.