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Pull your leg

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Generated image of a woman pulling a man's leg
To pull your leg means to joke with someone by telling them something that is not true, usually in a playful or teasing way.

The expression has been used in English since the 1800s. One explanation suggests it came from thieves tripping someone by pulling their leg, although today the phrase simply refers to harmless teasing.

Relax, I was only pulling your leg about the surprise test.