English Explanatory Dictionary

sell someone a pup

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To sell something of little worth, pretending that it is something else of greater value.

Word forms

sell someone a pup sells someone a pup selling someone a pup sold someone a pup

Etymology

From an old swindle, where one would be sold a bag purportedly containing a piglet, but actually containing a puppy. Compare pig in a poke.

Synonyms

abuse beglammer counterfeit deceive dissemble dissimulate feign jiff lead astray overreach put on spoof sham trick

Related words

buy a pup sell someone a bill of goods let the cat out of the bag pig in a poke
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