yank someone's chain

present singular third person yanks someone's chain · participle present yanking someone's chain · participle past yanked someone's chain · past yanked someone's chain · alternative jerk someone's chain · alternative pull someone's chain

1. idiomaticinformalTo tease someone; to lead someone on; to goad someone into overreacting.

   Near-synonyms: poke, prod

   3 more examples

   So, be careful what you are paying attention to. If it looks like someone is yanking your chain, he or she probably is.

   2006, James A. McKenna, Beyond Bluffs: Master the Mysteries of Poker, →ISBN, page 198

   “For the same reason you were yanking my chain about the double ropes,” I said. “You want to see if I'm going to be any help to you or a total idiot when it comes to this retail thing.”

   2008, Tom Morrisey, In High Places, →ISBN, page 198

   It was so easy to yank his chain, Tiree smirked to herself, as she dialled Les's London flat.

   2012, Alison Fraser, His Mistress's Secret, →ISBN

   Synonyms: pull someone's leg, poke, prod

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see yank, chain.