play a prank (on one)

To carry out a trick, deception, or practical joke (at one's expense). It turns out that the supposed alien visitors that people had been seeing were just a bunch of teenagers playing an elaborate prank. I've got a great plan to play a prank on the school for April Fools' Day.

prank call

A phone call that is typically anonymous and done as a practical joke or mischievous trick. The caller's message is usually wacky or makes little sense. A: "Why are we getting so many annoying prank calls all of a sudden?" B: "Probably just kids on summer vacation looking for ways to pass the time." I got a prank call last night asking me if my refrigerator was running.

prank caller

Someone who makes a phone call, usually anonymously, as a practical joke or mischievous trick. The caller's message is usually wacky or makes little sense. A: "Who was that, honey?" B: "Oh, just some prank caller asking if our refrigerator was running." A: "Why have there been so many prank callers all of a sudden?" B: "Probably just kids on summer vacation looking for ways to pass the time."

pull a prank (on someone)

To carry out a trick, deception, or practical joke (against someone). It turns out that the supposed alien visitors that people had been seeing were just a bunch of teenagers pulling a prank on the town. I've got a great plan to pull a prank on the school for April Fools' Day. The fake article had been in print in the renowned scientific journal for more than a week before its author revealed that he had pulled a prank when he decided to submit it.

play a trick on someone

and play a prank on someone

to do a trick that affects someone. Somebody played a trick on me by hiding my shoes. The little boys planned to play a trick on their teacher by turning up the heat in the classroom.