Where did the saying pull the wool over your eyes come from?
Medieval fairs were places of wonder and dastardly deeds where robbers were always on the lookout for victims. Their favourite technique was to pull the victim’s hood over his eyes while cutting his purse-strings. Hence the expressions to hoodwink and to pull the wool over one’s eyes.
What does pulling the wool over someone’s eyes mean?
to trick or deceive someone
informal. : to trick or deceive someone : to hide the truth from someone He was too clever to let them pull the wool over his eyes.
Is pull the wool over your eyes an idiom?
If you say that someone is pulling the wool over your eyes, you mean that they are trying to deceive you, in order to have an advantage over you.
Where did up your alley come from?
In one’s specialty, to one’s taste, as in Writing press releases is right up her alley, or He loved opera, so this program of arias was right down his alley. These idioms use alley in the sense of “one’s own province,” a usage dating from the early 1600s. [First half of 1900s] Also see cup of tea.
What does the speaker mean by do not try to pull the wool over his eyes?
phrase. If you say that someone is pulling the wool over your eyes, you mean that they are trying to deceive you, in order to have an advantage over you. Stop trying to pull the wool over my eyes!
What does the expression do something at the drop of a hat mean?
Immediately, without delay, as in We were ready to pack our bags and go on vacation at the drop of a hat. This phrase probably alludes to signaling the start of a race or other contest by dropping a hat. [ Late 1800s]
What does beating around the bush mean?
to avoid giving a definite answer or position. Please stop beating around the bush and tell me the full story.
What is the difference between Ally and alley?
“Alley” is a noun meaning a narrow passageway. “Ally” is a verb or noun meaning to connect by some relationship usually showing helpfulness or kinship. Example: The United States is a close ally of England.
Where does the saying right up your street come from?
There is no definite origin of the expression although the first recorded usage of the metaphorical usage of the American expression dates to 1931. It can be found in M.E. Gilman’s Sob Sister v. 65 and reads “it’s about time a good murder broke, and this one is right up your alley.”
What is the meaning of eye to eye?
If you see eye to eye with someone, you agree with them and have the same opinions and views.
What’s the origin of ‘pull the wool over your eyes’?
To pull the wool over someone’s eyes is to deceive or hoodwink them. What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Pull the wool over your eyes’? The natural assumption is that this phrase derives from the wearing of woollen wigs, which were fashionable for both men and women in the 16th and 17th centuries. The phrase itself is of 19th century American origin.
Where does the phrase “wigs for the men’s sake” come from?
The natural assumption is that this phrase derives from the wearing of woollen wigs, which were fashionable for both men and women in the 16th and 17th centuries. The phrase itself is of 19th century American origin. The earliest example of it in print that I have found is in…
Where can I find the origin of a proverb or phrase?
Whenever known, the origin of the phrase or proverb is noted. The majority of these phrases can be found at one of the following resources: A proverbial phrase or a proverbial expression is type of a conventional saying similar to proverbs and transmitted by oral tradition.
What is the origin of the phrase ‘wigs and wigs’?
The natural assumption is that this phrase derives from the wearing of woollen wigs, which were fashionable for both men and women in the 16th and 17th centuries. The phrase itself is of 19th century American origin. At first sight, the ‘wig’ derivation sounds like a plausible…
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