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pull someone's chain
/pʊl ˈsʌmwʌnz tʃeɪn/◆idiom
tease or provoke
Stop pulling my chain—I know you're just joking!
The phrase is used when someone is teasing another person.
informal
to intentionally tease, annoy, or provoke someone, often playfully
He loves pulling his little sister's chain by pretending to take her favorite toy.
Teasing by pretending to take something valuable.
Don't pull my chain about the deadline—I'm already stressed enough!
Stop provoking or teasing about a sensitive topic.
Often implies mild irritation or playful annoyance rather than serious provocation.
Collocations
pull someone's chaintease or provokekeep pulling someone's chaincontinue teasing
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context matters
This idiom is usually playful but can be taken seriously if the tone is harsh. Use it with friends or in lighthearted situations.
Gold Rule
Avoid in formal writing
This idiom is informal and should not be used in professional or academic contexts.
Word Origin
The phrase likely originates from the literal act of tugging a dog's chain to provoke a reaction. The figurative use emerged in early 20th-century American English, where 'chain' metaphorically represents a person's patience or composure.
Usage Notes
Common in casual speech among friends or family. Can be playful or mildly irritating depending on tone. Less common in formal settings.
Word Breakdown
pull
to tug or exert force
verbsomeone's chain
a metaphor for patience or composure
noun phraseEnglish Dictionary