bamboozle

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb conceal one's true motives from especially by elaborately feigning good intentions so as to gain an end

Etymology

Derivative of 17th-century vernacular bam (“to trick, to con”), which is a derivative of bam in noun use (fraudster, cheat). Possibly from French embobiner.

In classic literature

Synonyms

snow, hoodwink, pull the wool over someone's eyes, lead by the nose, play false

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