be sold a pup

informal

1. To have bought something that is ultimately worthless. Primarily heard in UK. I'm sorry, but that's definitely not an authentic Louis Vuitton bag. You've been sold a pup, my friend. The used-car dealer said the car was in mint condition? Well, considering how often it breaks down, I think it's safe to say that you've been sold a pup. I can't even get this darn camera to turn on. It seems I've been sold a pup!

2. To be deceived or misled about the veracity or accuracy of something. When we hired him, he told us he has years of experience, but he acts like this is his first time handling accounts like this. I'm starting to think we've been sold a pup. Boy, Mom sure was sold a pup when she signed this landscaping contract. Instead of coming biweekly, the guy's only cut her lawn once in the last six months! We were sold a pup when we signed that pitcher to a big contract. He'd told us his back injury had completely healed!

be sold a pup

BRITISH, INFORMAL

If someone is sold a pup, they buy or accept something that is not as good as they thought it would be. It's the car you want at the price you want to pay. But can you trust the seller, or will you be sold a pup? The pictures were published in good faith but the newspaper discovered two days later that they had been sold a pup. Note: A pup is a puppy or young dog, and is probably being contrasted with an animal that is older and does not need to be trained before being put to work.