have somebody on

have somebody on
• to lead somebody on
• to have somebody on
to tease, to pull one's leg; to make someone think that you are interested in their ideas or speech, when really you are just laughing at them.

She leads young men on and then she turns prim and proper on them. She's a born teaser. She'll never change. (J. Braine)

I didn't lead him on. He took this highly unreasonable fancy in spite of plenty of cold water. (J. Galsworthy)


Idioms and examples. 2014.

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  • have somebody on — ˌhave sb ˈon derived (informal) to try to make sb believe sth that is not true, usually as a joke • You didn t really, did you? You re not having me on, are you? Main entry: ↑havederived …   Useful english dictionary

  • have somebody written all over somebody — have sth/sb written all ˈover it/sb idiom (informal) to show clearly the quality mentioned or the influence of the person mentioned • It was a performance with star quality written all over it. • This essay has got Mike written all over it.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • have somebody's guts for garters — have sb s ˌguts for ˈgarters f6 idiom (BrE, informal) to be very angry with sb and punish them severely for sth they have done • She ll have your guts for garters if she ever finds out. Main entry: ↑gut …   Useful english dictionary

  • have somebody a bumpy ride — have/give sb a bumpy ˈride idiom to have a difficult time; to make a situation difficult for sb Main entry: ↑bumpyidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • have somebody in mind (for something) — have sb/sth in ˈmind (for sth) idiom to be thinking of sb/sth, especially for a particular job, etc • Do you have anyone in mind for this job? • Watching TV all evening wasn t exactly what I had in mind! Main entry: ↑mindidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • have somebody in the palm of your hand — have sb in the ˌpalm of your ˈhand idiom to have complete control or influence over sb • Even before he plays a note, he has the audience in the palm of his hand. Main entry: ↑palmidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • have somebody in your pocket — have sb in your ˈpocket idiom to have influence or power over sb, for example, a police officer or a politician, especially by threatening them or by offering them money Main entry: ↑pocketidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • have somebody to thank (for something) — have sb to thank (for sth) idiom used when you are saying who is responsible for sth • I have my parents to thank for my success. Main entry: ↑thankidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • have somebody's ear — have sb s ear | have the ear of sb idiom to be able to give sb advice, influence them, etc. because they trust you • He had the ear of the monarch. Main entry: ↑earidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • have somebody's name on it — have your/sb s ˈname on it | with your/sb s ˈname on it idiom (informal) if sth has your name on it, or there is sth with your name on it, it is intended for you • He took my place and got killed. It should have been me that bullet had my name on …   Useful english dictionary

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