Idiom: 'to pull one's leg'

[Haihao]

English Idioms and Expressions, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #18 "Common English Idioms", question 1

Tom told Andrea that giant turtles had escaped from the city zoo and were eating only left-handed people. It wasn't until she saw the smirk on his face that Andrea noticed he was just pulling her leg.

(a) trying to hurt her
(b) fooling her
(c) making fun of her
(d) trying to make her fall

English Idioms and Expressions, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #18 "Common English Idioms", answer 1

Tom told Andrea that giant turtles had escaped from the city zoo and were eating only left-handed people. It wasn't until she saw the smirk on his face that Andrea noticed he was just fooling her.

Correct answer: (b) fooling her

Your answer was: correct
_________________________

Is it because fooling her is stronger than making fun of her that (c) is unfit? How about the strong level of pull one's leg?

haihao

[Canadian45]

It's a matter of quality, not quantity, so "stronger" is not the issue.

"Pulling one's leg" means good-natured teasing. "Making fun of someone" is more cruel.
As a definition of "pulling one's leg", I might prefer teasing but "fooling her" is the correct answer to the question.

[Conchita]

They've even made a noun out of it (!): leg-pull, which is informal for 'hoax' really.

The next time someone tries to pull your leg, you could say, "Pull the other one, it's got bells on!" (well, I like it!).