deceive


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appearances can be deceiving

proverb Appearances do not always convey accurate information about a person or thing. That house sure looks beautiful on the outside, but appearances can be deceiving. What did the inspector say about the foundation? Sure, she seems nice, but appearances can be deceiving. I don't trust anyone who acts happy all the time. I just can't shake the notion that appearances can be deceiving, you know?
See also: appearance, can, deceive

deceive (someone) into (something)

To fool or trick someone into doing something. I can't believe he deceived thousands of people into buying a faulty product! Mom, please don't let anyone on the phone deceive you into giving out your Social Security number. How did that pitcher deceive the Marlins into offering such a big contract? He's been injured every season of his career!
See also: deceive

deceive (someone) with (something)

To use something in particular to fool or trick someone. I can't believe you deceived thousands of people with a misrepresentation of your product! Mom, please don't let anyone on the phone deceive you with a request for your Social Security number. You put on a good show, but you can't deceive us with buzzwords and a flashy corporate office—we already know the company's hemorrhaging money.
See also: deceive

flatter to deceive

To seem better or more promising than someone or something really is. A: "I can't believe that team didn't make the playoffs after starting the season so well." B: "I guess they just flattered to deceive." Don't invest in his latest wacky invention—I'm sure it flatters to deceive. Did that makeup company really go out of business already? Wow, I guess they flattered to deceive with that sellout first launch.
See also: deceive, flatter, to

looks are deceiving

proverb Appearances do not always convey accurate information about a person or thing. That house sure looks beautiful on the outside, but looks are deceptive. What did the inspector say about the foundation? Sure, she seems nice, but looks are deceiving.
See also: deceive, look

looks can be deceiving

proverb Appearances do not always convey accurate information about a person or thing. That house sure looks beautiful on the outside, but looks can be deceiving. What did the inspector say about the foundation? Sure, she seems nice, but looks can be deceiving.
See also: can, deceive, look
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Appearances can be deceiving.

Prov. Things can look different from the way they really are. Edward seems like a very nice boy, but appearances can be deceiving. Jane may look like she doesn't understand you, but she's really extremely bright. Appearances can be deceiving.
See also: Appearance, can, deceive

deceive someone into something

to trick someone into doing something. She deceived me into giving her my car keys. You can't deceive me into doing what I don't want to do.
See also: deceive

deceive someone with something

to cheat someone with something or with deceptive words. You cannot deceive me with your promises. You are just deceiving yourself with fancy talk.
See also: deceive
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

flatter to deceive

encourage on insufficient grounds and cause disappointment.
1913 Field Two furlongs from home Maiden Erlegh looked most dangerous, but he flattered only to deceive.
See also: deceive, flatter, to
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive ?
Practise to Deceive is certainly an absorbing, even entertaining, read.
Practise to Deceive: Learning Curves of Military Deception Planners
| Does the player exaggerate the effect of a normal contact challenge in order to deceive the referee?
Why Niasse is the FALL GUY; oumar misses trip to saints - and fa talk through decision
Of course, then shooters can deceive goalies with false cues.
No guessing in goalkeeping
authorities deceive the people saying earlier about the salary growth in all the sectors starting 1 January 2014.
"Bitter truth" that there is no money, did not hinder state functionaries to raise their salary
At-taqiyah has since become a formula allowing Shi'ites to deceive. After Ali ibn Abi-Taleb, his cousin and son-in-law, rebelled against the Sunni caliph and established Shi'ism and thus became the first of the Ja'fari (Twelver) Shi'ites' 12th holiest and partly "divine" imams, his followers used at-taqiyah to escape persecution at the hands of oppressive Sunni caliphs (see sbme1IraqTaqiyahJan5-09)
Anti-Taqiyah Rallies
They define lying as "(1) an intent to deceive, (2) the use of words that are literally false, and (3) the presence of a recipient who is caused by the lie to have a misimpression of reality" (41).
Brooke Harrington, ed.: Deception: From Ancient Empires to Internet Dating
Speaking to FNA, Commander of Khatom ol-Anbia Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmayeeli said that Iran's air defense unit has already switched on a project to develop systems which can deceive enemy missiles and it will put it into the operation when necessary.
Commander Stresses Iran's Ability to Deceive Incoming Enemy Missiles
"But you need to find a time and place to deceive. No agent should be constantly deceiving."
Will robots be asked to fool the enemy?
According to the standard philosophical definition, lying is saying something that you believe to be false with the intent to deceive. However, people sometimes "go on the record" with something that they believe to be false even though they have no intent to deceive.
The Journal of Philosophy: January 2009, Vol. 106, No. 1
I WAS surprised to learn the word "fail" came, originally, from the Latin word "to deceive".
THOUGHT for the DAY
One can thus deceive others by having or making them believe that P, while knowing or at least having good grounds to believe that ~P, and deceive oneself by having or making oneself believe or convincing oneself that P, while knowing or at least having good grounds to believe that ~P.
Amit Marcus. Self-Deception in Literature and Philosophy
federal court last week affirmed a ruling that Sanofi-Aventis SA intended to deceive the patent office in its dispute over generic versions of its blockbuster drug Lovenox.
A U.S. federal court last week affirmed a ruling that Sanofi-Aventis SA intended to deceive the patent office in its dispute over generic versions of its blockbuster drug Lovenox
Magicians use more than smoke and mirrors to deceive audiences, but their secrets are rarely revealed.
Abracadabra!
The securities fraud class action lawsuit, initiated by Ohio on behalf of all Fannie Mae shareholders, accuses the government sponsored lender of manipulating earnings to deceive investors, while the company's executives profited from inflated stock prices.
Ohio Attorney General sues Fannie Mae
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