Have someone on

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250317

Introduction

This means making someone believe something that isn’t true, but in a jokey way. Learn how to use this expression here.

Feifei

Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them as well. I’m Feifei, and I’m here with Beth.

Beth

Hi Feifei. I’ve got some exciting news. I won the lottery yesterday, and now I’m super rich! You can come over to my mansion this weekend, if you like.

Feifei

Really?

Beth

No, I’m just having you on! I didn’t win the lottery. I’m only joking.

Feifei

You really had me on there. And that’s a great example of our phrase ‘have someone on’. It means you’re joking or teasing someone, making them believe something that isn’t true.

Beth

Exactly. It’s a playful trick, but it isn’t mean at all – it’s just a joke. A bit like when my best friend told me she’d met the King. She said they’d had coffee and cake and chatted all day, and then I realised she was having me on.

Feifei

No way. Well, erm, something happened to me the other day. I came into the office, and then Neil told me that we were all given that day off, so I was ready to pack up and go and then realized he was having me on.

Beth

That is really annoying!

Feifei

Let’s hear some more examples of ‘have someone on’.

Examples

My son told me he’s been picked to play football for England schoolboys. I think he’s having me on.

My sister told me she’s got a new boyfriend and it’s this famous actor. I think she’s having me on.

What? We’ve been picked for the finals. Nah, you’re having me on.

Beth

Now, we often say ‘you’re having me on’ when you don’t believe what you’re hearing. You think it’s so unbelievable that it must be a joke.

Feifei

Yes. A similar but less common expression is ‘you’re pulling my leg’. Both of these can be used in a light-hearted way. Right, Beth, I’ve got to go. I’m flying to Australia in a few hours.

Beth

Really? Oh, you’re having me on! Well, that’s all from us. We’ll be back next time with another useful English phrase. Bye-bye.

Feifei

Bye!

La entrada 233.- Have someone on. Profesor se publicó primero en Madrid Berlin Idiomas.