Meaning
Tease or trick someone playfully.
Primary Function
Joking deception.
Communicative Purpose
To indicate friendly teasing.
Pattern
pull; leg
Core Structure
pull; leg
Função primária
Joking deception.
Propósito comunicativo
To indicate friendly teasing.
Situações de gatilho
Light-hearted conversations, pranks.
Contextos
Friends, family, informal colleagues.
Padrão
pull; leg
Estrutura central
pull; leg
Slots de substituição
[someone] → my, his, her, John’s
Colocados típicos
- just
- only
- are you
Substituições comuns
- messing with you
- pulling your chain
Erros comuns
*pull my legs* (plural)
Similar / contraste
wind someone up, have someone on
Interferências
Not physical.
Família do chunk
- Joking/teasing idioms
Nuance
Harmless, affectionate.
Efeito pragmático
Signals camaraderie.
Dica de memória
Child pulling an adult’s trouser leg jokingly.
Nota
This idiom is used to indicate that someone is joking or teasing in a friendly manner, not to be taken seriously.
Upgrade path
tease in jest (more explanatory)
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