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"Dar atole con el dedo" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to try to pull one over on", and "tomar el pelo" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to pull someone's leg". Learn more about the difference between "dar atole con el dedo" and "tomar el pelo" below.
dar atole con el dedo(
dahr
ah
-
toh
-
leh
kohn
ehl
deh
-
doh
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (idiom) (to attempt to trick) (Mexico)
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. to try to pull one over on (idiom)
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
Oye, ese cuate te está dando atole con el dedo. Ponte abusado.Hey, that guy's trying to pull one over on you. Look sharp.
b. to take for a fool (idiom)
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
¿Cómo ves esta oferta de una casa gratis en Cancún? - Creo que te están dando atole con el dedo.What do you think of this offer for a free house in Cancun? - I think they're taking you for a fool.
c. to treat like an idiot
No me des atole con el dedo, que no nací ayer.Don't treat me like an idiot. I wasn't born yesterday.
tomar el pelo(
toh
-
mahr
ehl
peh
-
loh
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (colloquial) (to poke fun at)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to pull someone's leg (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
No le hagas caso a tu padre, te está tomando el pelo. Claro que te compramos la bici como te prometimos.Don't listen to your father; he's pulling your leg. Of course we'll buy you the bike like we promised.
b. to joke
Nos dijeron que su equipo ganó una vez al Barça, pero yo creo que nos estaban tomando el pelo.They told us their team beat Barça once, but I think they were only joking.
c. to tease
Deja de tomarme el pelo y dime si el vestido me queda bien o no de verdad.Stop teasing me and tell me if the dress really looks good on me or not.
2. (colloquial) (to swindle)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to rip off (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¿Nueve euros por una cerveza? Les tomaron descaradamente el pelo.Nine euros for a beer? They have shamelessly ripped you off.
tomarse el pelo
A pronominal verb phrase combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Se dio cuenta del problema.)
3. (colloquial) (to poke fun at each other)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to pull each other's leg (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Los dos hermanos andan siempre tomándose el pelo. Es su forma de relacionarse.The two brothers are always pulling each other's leg. It's their way of relating to each other.
