pull (one's) chain

pull (one's) chain

To tease one, often by trying to convince them of something that isn't true. Quit pulling my chain, I know there isn't a Hollywood director calling me right now. I love pulling my sister's chain—it's almost too easy to fool her.
See also: chain, pull
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

pull someone's chain

1. Make someone speak out of turn, as in Who pulled your chain?-It's none of your business. [1920s]
2. Make someone angry, especially deliberately, as in Teenagers really know how to pull their parents' chains. [c. 1960] Both usages allude to the literal sense of chain-pulling, that is, "causing someone to do something, as though activated by a chain."
See also: chain, pull
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

pull someone's chain

or

yank someone's chain

AMERICAN, INFORMAL
If you pull someone's chain or yank their chain, you tease them about something, for example by telling them something which is not true. I glared at her, and she smiled. When would I learn to smarten up and ignore her when she pulled my chain? Note: The image here is of someone teasing a dog by pulling the chain that it is tied up with.
See also: chain, pull
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

pull (or yank) someone's chain

tease someone, especially by leading them to believe something that isn't true. US informal
See also: chain, pull
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

pull someone’s chain

verb
See yank someone’s chain
See also: chain, pull
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • pull someone’s chain
  • pull someone's chain
  • yank (one's) chain
  • yank chain
  • yank somebody's chain
  • yank someone’s chain
  • yank someone’s crank
  • yank (one's) crank
  • not in the same league as (someone or something)
  • not in the same league with (someone or something)