to hornswoggle
- verb
- /ˈhɔrnˌswɑɡəl/
- Archaic
- The salesman attempted to hornswoggle his customers with exaggerated claims about the product.
Examples
-
Trying to hornswoggle me!
-
He tried to hornswoggle me into thinking I won the lottery.
-
Don't let those flashy advertisements hornswoggle you; always read the fine print.
Synonyms
To make someone believe something false so you can get what you want
To trick someone into giving their money or things
To illegally get money or things from someone by lying
To trick someone into doing something
To trick someone into giving money or their things
To cheat someone and take their money by lying
Change facts or numbers to hide the truth
To make someone believe something that is not true
To trick someone by pretending you want to help them
Trick someone to take their money or things
To trick someone so you take their money or things
To cheat someone out of money or things by tricking them
Get what you want by tricking people or using clever dishonest methods
To cheat someone and take their money or things
To trick someone into believing something false
To trick someone to get their money or things
To trick someone by being clever to gain advantage
To trick someone by using clever talk
To cheat someone out of money or things
Get money or goods from someone by tricking them
To trick someone out of their money
To cheat someone by lying to get their money
To trick someone and take their money or things
Cheat someone to get their money or things
To cheat someone using tricks or fake deals
To trick someone to take their money or goods
To trick people to avoid a problem or responsibility
How Deceptive
- Formal
- Archaic
Surface Forms
Etymology
Hornswoggle is a playful American slang word that means 'to cheat' or 'to trick' someone. A helpful way to remember it is to imagine someone putting horns on you to make you look foolish and an ending that sounds like the word swindle, so hornswoggle means being fooled or cheated.