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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

yank someone's chain en · VERB

Pronunciation

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic, informal) To tease someone; to lead someone on; to goad someone into overreacting.
    • It was so easy to yank his chain, Tiree smirked to herself, as she dialled Les's London flat. 2012, Alison Fraser, His Mistress's Secret, →ISBN:
    • So, be careful what you are paying attention to. If it looks like someone is yanking your chain, he or she probably is. 2006, James A. McKenna, Beyond Bluffs: Master the Mysteries of Poker, →ISBN, page 198:
    • Near-synonyms: poke, prod
    • “For the same reason you were yanking my chain about the double ropes,” I said. “You want to see if I'm going to be any help to you or a total idiot when it comes to this retail thing.” 2008, Tom Morrisey, In High Places, →ISBN, page 198:
  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see yank, chain.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
pull someone's chain alternative lexicographic
yanks someone's chain Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
jerk someone's chain alternative lexicographic
yanking someone's chain Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
yanked someone's chain Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
yanked someone's chain Tense=Past lexicographic

Coordinates

get someone's goat

Synonyms

prod · pull someone's leg · poke