The phrase "pulled the wool over eyes" means to deceive or trick someone cunningly. The spelling of "wool" is fairly straightforward; it is pronounced /wʊl/. However, the pronunciation of "pulled" and "over" can vary depending on regional accent. "Pulled" is commonly pronounced as /pʊld/ or /pʌld/, while "over" can be pronounced as /oʊvər/ or /əʊvər/. The phrase likely originated from the practice of thieves stealing sheep by covering their eyes with wool to prevent them from seeing.
The phrase "pulled the wool over one's eyes" refers to the act of deceiving or tricking someone, typically by leading them to believe something that is not true. This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone successfully manipulates or fools another person by concealing their true intentions or actions. When someone "pulls the wool over one's eyes," they effectively create a situation where the deceived individual remains unaware or oblivious to the truth, allowing the deceiver to exploit the situation to their advantage.
The origin of this phrase can be traced back to the practice of pulling a woolen hat or cap down over someone's eyes in order to physically restrict their vision. This physical act became a metaphor for the successful manipulation of someone's perception or understanding. By covering the eyes with wool, the person's vision is obscured, hindering their ability to see clearly and leaving them vulnerable to being misled or deceived.
The phrase "pulled the wool over one's eyes" carries a negative connotation and implies a sense of betrayal or naivety on the part of the deceived individual. It suggests that they have been taken advantage of, often due to misplaced trust or gullibility. This idiom is commonly used in both informal and formal contexts to describe situations where someone has been fooled, cheated, or swindled.