could have fooled me

(you) could have fooled me

Really? I thought the opposite was true. A: "This neighborhood has really improved in recent years—it's quite popular now." B: "Wow. With all the boarded-up buildings, you could have fooled me." Maria is shy? Could have fooled me. She was talking all night. You two are fighting? You could have fooled me—I didn't pick up on any tension at last night's party.

See also: could, fool, have

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

(You) could have fooled me.

Inf. I would have thought otherwise.; I would have thought the opposite. Henry: Did you know that this land is among the most productive in the entire state? Jane: You could have fooled me. It looks quite barren. John: I really do like Mary. Andy: Could have fooled me. You treat her rather badly sometimes.

See also: could, fool, have

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.