take ~ for a ride — to deceive or cheat someone, especially by taking their money dishonestly
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to deceive or cheat someone, especially by taking their money dishonestly
Pronunciation (IPA): /teɪk fɔːr ə raɪd/
Example Sentences
- That salesman really took us for a ride - this 'diamond' ring is actually plastic!
- Don't let the car dealer take you for a ride; research the prices first.
- My grandmother may be 80, but she's too smart to be taken for a ride by phone scammers.
take ~ for a ride
VERB[/teɪk fɔːr ə raɪd/]
to deceive or cheat someone, especially by taking their money dishonestly
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrase originated in early 20th-century American English, initially meaning to take someone on a literal drive or outing. It evolved into a figurative expression meaning to deceive or swindle someone, often implying that the victim is led to believe they're going somewhere pleasant when actually being taken advantage of.
Breakdown
take (to bring or conduct) + for a ride (on a drive or journey) = to deceive someone by leading them on false pretenses, originally suggesting luring someone into a car under false pretenses.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“That salesman really took us for a ride - this 'diamond' ring is actually plastic!”
“Don't let the car dealer take you for a ride; research the prices first.”
“My grandmother may be 80, but she's too smart to be taken for a ride by phone scammers.”
“The restaurant took me for a ride by charging $20 for a tiny salad that looked like rabbit food.”
📚Related Words
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