The phrase "pulling wool over eyes" means to deceive or trick someone. The spelling of this word is straightforward, with the vowel sound in the first syllable being pronounced as /ʊ/ and the consonant sound in the second syllable as /l/. The /ɪŋ/ sound in the suffix "-ing" is pronounced weakly as a schwa sound /ə/. The phrase can be phonetically transcribed as /ˈpʊlɪŋ ˈwʊl ˌoʊvər ˈaɪz/. It is important to understand the meaning and spelling of idiomatic expressions to use them correctly in English communication.
"Pulling wool over someone's eyes" is a common idiomatic expression that means to deceive, mislead, or hoodwink someone by presenting false information or exerting tactics of manipulation to purposely conceal or cover up the truth. This figurative phrase implies that the person being deceived is unaware of the cunning actions or the hidden agenda of the deceiver.
Originating from the textile industry, the phrase alludes to the act of literally pulling wool over the eyes to obstruct vision, rendering one unable to see clearly. Similarly, when this idiom is used, it implies that the deceiver is deliberately obscuring the truth to mask their true intentions, intentions which may be self-serving or dishonest.
The idiom can be applied to various situations, such as scams, tricks, or deceitful acts where one person successfully persuades or manipulates another by creating a false narrative or impression. Whether it is used to describe a crafty salesperson trying to sell a subpar product, a political figure misleading the public, or a cunning individual taking advantage of someone's trust, "pulling wool over someone's eyes" denotes a calculated act of concealing information or distorting reality for personal gain at the expense of another's well-being or understanding.
Overall, this idiom serves as a reminder to remain vigilant, skeptical, and cautious in order to avoid falling prey to the deceptive tactics of others.