pull the wool over eyes

P

pull the wool over eyes

Meaning

• to deceive someone
• to hoodwink someone
• prevent someone from discovering something by deceiving them
• fool someone into thinking well of them

Example Sentences

1. I’m not as dumb as you think; don’t try to pull the wool over my eyes.
2. Don’t try to pull the wool over his eyes. He’s too smart.
3. Some people think they can get away with anything. They always try to pull the wool over others’ eyes.
4. You can’t pull the wool over her eyes. She knows what’s going on.
5. Most financial advisers try to pull the wool over their client’s eyes and sell them what they don’t need. They only care for their commissions.
6. Beware of quacks posing as doctors. They will pull the wool over your eyes and disappear with their fees.
7. I don’t trust people who claim to have supernatural powers. I think they are just pulling the wool over people’s eyes.
8. Are you trying to pull the wool over my eyes? I know very well what happened in there.

Origin

The saying – “you can’t pull the wool over my eyes” originally came from being buried in a shroud of wool and meant that “I am not dead!”

From early times England was noted for her woollen products and homegrown wool was a significant part of the national prosperity.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, the protection of this national product was of great importance, and an act was passed in King Charles II’s reign for the express purpose of increasing the consumption of English wool.

After the BURIAL IN WOOL ACTS 1667 and 1678, all bodies were buried in wool only, unless they have died from the Plague and an affidavit sworn accordingly. The penalty for not doing so was £5. These were revoked in 1814.

According to one another theory, it’s assumed to be derived from the wearing of woollen wigs.

Clothes, Death, Fool, Over