play (someone) like a fiddle

play (someone) like a fiddle

To easily and deftly manipulate someone to suit one's own needs, ends, or benefits. That travelling salesman played me like a fiddle. Now what am I going to do with all this junk that he convinced me to buy? Can't you see that his flattery is totally insincere? He's playing you like a fiddle!
See also: fiddle, like, play
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • be played like a fiddle
  • get played like a fiddle
  • play (something) off as (something else)
  • hang up (one's) fiddle
  • hang up your fiddle
  • (as) fit as a fiddle
  • be as fit as a fiddle
  • fit as a fiddle
  • belly fiddle
  • mop up the floor with (one)