yank chain

yank (one's) chain

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

See also: chain, yank

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

yank someone's chain

Sl. to harass someone; to give someone a hard time. (As if one were a dog wearing a choker collar, on a leash.) Stop yanking my chain! Do you really think you can just yank my chain whenever you want?

See also: chain, yank

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