take for a ride
take for a ride
Meaning
- to tricksomebody
- to lie tosomebody to deceive them
- to abductsomeone with the intention of murdering them
Synonyms
- cheat
- deceive
- swindle
- trick
- con
Example Sentences
- I paid forthe package but it was never delivered. After two weeks I realized that I hadbeen taken for a ride.
- I paid him$3000 as a deposit but he still has not fixed my car. I think he has taken me for a ride.
- His newgirlfriend is taking him for a ride.She is not as sweet as she looks.
- When hisboss found out that he had stolen the drugs, he was taken for a ride. He never returned.
Origin
The origin of the phrase seemsto be quite sinister. It can be traced back to the 1920s. It was used todescribe the car trip and intended killing of enemies of crime bosses inAmerica in the late 1920s. The person would be placed in a car and moved to adifferent location with the intent of killing them and burying the body.
It is unclear when the phrasewas first used to describe being swindled, usually for money. It is possiblethat the origins are closely related, as you are promised one thing and thensomething else, or nothing, is delivered.