sell (one) a bill of goods
sell (one) a bill of goods
To attempt to convince one of a lie, especially in order to take unfair advantage of them; to swindle or con one. He said he would sell my bike and bring me back the profits, but he sold me a bill of goods—I never heard from him again! So you told me you would study harder if I got you that new video game, but your grades got even worse. Looks like you sold me a bill of goods!
See also: bill, good, of, sell
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
sell someone a bill of goods
Fig. to get someone to believe something that isn't true; to deceive someone. Don't pay any attention to what John says. He's just trying to sell you a bill of goods. I'm not selling you a bill of goods. What I say is true.
See also: bill, good, of, sell
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
sell a bill of goods
Deceive, swindle, take unfair advantage of, as in He was just selling you a bill of goods when he said he worked as a secret agent, or Watch out if anyone says he wants to trade bikes with you; he's apt to be selling you a bill of goods . The bill of goods here means "a dishonest offer." [c. 1920]
See also: bill, good, of, sell
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
sell someone a bill of goods
deceive or swindle someone, usually by persuading them to accept something untrue or undesirable.A bill of goods is a consignment of merchandise.
1968 Globe & Mail (Toronto) There was no production bonus…We were sold a bill of goods.
See also: bill, good, of, sell, someone
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
sell a bill of goods
Informal To take unfair advantage of.
See also: bill, good, of, sell
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- 1FTR
- drive (one) out of office
- force (one) out of office
- force out of office
- give (one) (one's) head
- give head
- give somebody their head
- give someone their head
- cooking for one
- get/put one over on somebody/something