pulling your leg

[ˈpʊlɪŋ jɔr lɛɡ]

verb phrase

estar brincando com você

1. To joke or tease someone in a playful manner; to say something that is not true as a prank

I'm just pulling your leg! I didn't really see a ghost.

Estou apenas brincando com você! Não vi nenhum fantasma de verdade.

2. To deceive someone in a lighthearted way

Don't believe him—he's pulling your leg about winning the lottery.

Não acredite nele—ele está brincando sobre ter ganhado a loteria.

NYC Slang

bustin' your chops

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

estar brincando

Most common and widely understood

Rio de Janeiro

tá de zoação

Informal, colloquial variation

São Paulo

estar brincando de mentira

Common in casual speech

Portugal

estar a brincar contigo

Slightly different phrasing but same meaning

having someone on

taking someone for a ride

putting someone on

having a laugh at someone's expense

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