put one past
Truth, lies & confusion · Filed under P
In a sentence
- He thought he had fooled them with his fake ID, but they saw right through it and put one past him.
- The clever magician was able to put one past the audience by making the coin disappear without them noticing.
- Despite his attempts to deceive his opponent, the skilled poker player was able to put one past him and win the game.
Where it comes from and how it is used
The idiom "put one over" is another commonly used expression in colloquial English. This idiomatic phrase is often used to describe successfully deceiving or outsmarting someone. It is similar in meaning to "put one past," as both idioms convey the idea of trickery or clever deception.
In sports contexts, "put one over" can also be used to describe successfully tricking an opponent. For example, in a basketball game, if a player uses a clever move to score a point, they can be said to have "put one over" their opponent.
Outside of sports, "put one over" can be used more generally to describe successfully deceiving or outsmarting someone. It can be used in everyday conversations and is understood to convey a sense of wit or cunning.
While "put one past," "put one over," and "put it past" may have slightly different nuances, they all share the common theme of successfully deceiving or outsmarting someone. These idioms are often used informally in everyday conversations and are understood to convey a sense of cleverness or skill in trickery.
Whether in sports or general contexts, these idioms are commonly used to describe the act of successfully deceiving or tricking someone. They add a touch of wit and playfulness to conversations and are a part of the rich tapestry of the English language.
Neighbouring idioms
- put one overTruth, lies & confusion
- put it past
- stab in the backPeople & relationships
- pull the wool over someone's eyesTruth, lies & confusion
- pull a fast oneTruth, lies & confusion
- palm offTruth, lies & confusion
- pull someone's legTalk & communication
- put it to
Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.