The phrase Take Someone for a Ride might sound like a cheerful countryside drive, yet it really speaks of deception. In English, this colorful expression shows how one person tricks another, leading them astray. I once bought a gadget from a friend who promised it worked perfectly, but later I realized it didn’t– I had been taken for a ride.
This phrase often illustrates how appearances clash with reality. Its origins carry surprise, sometimes tied to historical events or cultural shifts. When you trace its roots, you uncover a story that adds depth to your understanding. Like many parts of language, it holds on to the past, offering both humor and warning in daily speech.
By studying common sayings, you can reveal why figurative language matters. When someone feels cheated or fooled, they may not just say “I was tricked.” Instead, this phrase sharpens the emotion and makes the experience more vivid. It reminds us that expressions don’t just describe reality– they also shape how we feel about it.
Definition of “Take Someone for a Ride”
At its core, “take someone for a ride” means to deceive, trick, or mislead someone.
- A lighthearted context might mean jokingly fooling a friend.
- A serious context refers to scams, betrayals, or dangerous situations.
Examples in sentences:
- “That online seller really took me for a ride- I never got my package.”
- “Don’t let his smooth talk take you for a ride; he’s only after your money.”
- “She thought the deal was legit, but it turned out she was taken for a ride.”
This idiom has a figurative meaning that goes beyond transportation. The “ride” symbolizes the journey of being manipulated, often without realizing it until it’s too late.
Origins and Historical Background
The idiom traces back to early 20th-century America, particularly the 1920s and 1930s during the Prohibition era. Organized crime dominated cities like Chicago and New York. Mobsters often used cars not only for getaways but also for sinister purposes.
To “take someone for a ride” in gangster slang meant kidnapping or murdering a rival by luring them into a car. Once inside, the victim rarely came back.
Historical evidence:
- American newspapers of the 1930s reported mob hits with this phrase.
- Crime novels and pulp fiction adopted it as shorthand for underworld justice.
- The idiom’s violent roots were tied directly to Mafia operations.
Over time, the idiom drifted away from its deadly context. By the mid-20th century, ordinary people used it metaphorically to describe being duped or cheated.
“Gangsters used to take their enemies for a ride in the literal sense. Today, we use the phrase when someone scams us out of a few dollars.” – Linguist Barbara Kipfer
Dual Meanings of the Idiom
The phrase carries two distinct interpretations, depending on the setting.
| Context | Meaning | Example |
| Everyday English | To deceive, trick, or scam someone | “He took investors for a ride with that fake crypto project.” |
| Gangster Slang | To kill someone by taking them on a final car ride | “Mobsters took him for a ride, and he was never seen again.” |
The dual nature of this idiom is fascinating. One side is playful, the other deadly. Which meaning applies depends on the speaker’s tone and cultural awareness.
Usage in Everyday English
In modern English, the idiom is commonly used in conversations, business contexts, journalism, and casual conversation.
Everyday contexts:
- Business scams – “The company took customers for a ride with hidden fees.”
- Personal betrayal – “He promised love but took her for a ride emotionally.”
- Playful exaggeration – “You believed my story about meeting Beyoncé? I totally took you for a ride!”
Examples in journalism:
- “Consumers were taken for a ride by predatory lenders.” – The New York Times
- “Fans felt taken for a ride when the much-hyped festival collapsed.” – BBC News
This shows how flexible the phrase has become. It can carry a lighthearted joke or a serious accusation.
Idiomatic Relatives and Variations
Idioms rarely exist in isolation. “Take someone for a ride” shares DNA with other expressions of deception.
Similar idioms:
- “Pull the wool over someone’s eyes” – to trick someone by hiding the truth.
- “Lead someone on” – to give false hope or intentions.
- “Sell someone a bill of goods” – to swindle someone with false promises.
Comparison table:
| Idiom | Meaning | Tone |
| Take someone for a ride | Trick, deceive, sometimes kill | Neutral to dark |
| Pull the wool over eyes | Hide truth, trick with lies | Neutral |
| Lead someone on | Mislead emotionally or romantically | Light, personal |
| Sell a bill of goods | Scam with false product | Business, critical |
The differences lie in tone and context, but the shared theme is deception.
Pop Culture References
Pop culture helped keep this idiom alive. It appears in movies, music, novels, and TV shows.
Movies:
- Goodfellas (1990) – Mafia scenes reflect the original mobster meaning.
- The Godfather series – Phrases like “taken for a ride” echo in mob dialogues.
Music:
- The Beatles’ song “Drive My Car” plays with the metaphor of rides and manipulation.
- Aerosmith’s “Back in the Saddle” uses similar imagery.
Literature:
- Raymond Chandler’s noir novels included mobster slang.
- Modern crime fiction often uses the idiom for atmosphere.
TV Shows:
- The Sopranos often referenced mob language, keeping phrases like this alive.
- Sitcoms sometimes use it for comedic effect when characters get fooled.
Modern Relevance and Evolution
Today, most people don’t think of mobsters when they hear the phrase. Instead, they link it with scams, lies, and manipulations.
Why it’s still relevant:
- Fraud and scams remain common.
- People naturally reach for vivid idioms to describe being tricked.
- Pop culture references keep the gangster undertone faintly alive.
Generational differences:
- Older speakers may still recognize the mobster connection.
- Younger generations mostly use it in the “deceived” sense.
Language evolves, and this idiom proves how meanings can soften while still retaining a cultural shadow.
Related Idioms Explained
To strengthen your idiom knowledge, here are other colorful phrases often studied alongside “take someone for a ride.”
Get out of Dodge
- Origin: Western TV show Gunsmoke.
- Meaning: Leave quickly, usually to avoid trouble.
- Example: “The cops are here- let’s get out of Dodge.”
Bless Your Heart
- Dual tone: Can be sincere (sympathy) or sarcastic (mockery).
- Example: “Bless your heart, you really tried.”
Tie the Knot
- Meaning: To get married.
- Origin: Old European wedding customs of handfasting.
- Example: “They’re tying the knot in spring.”
Pass with Flying Colors
- Meaning: To succeed brilliantly.
- Origin: Naval tradition of returning with flags flying after victory.
- Example: “She passed the exam with flying colors.”
In One’s Element
- Meaning: To be comfortable or skilled in a situation.
- Example: “He’s in his element when cooking.”
Knock One for Six
- British idiom from cricket.
- Meaning: To shock or upset someone.
- Example: “The news knocked her for six.”
These idioms connect through vivid imagery. Together, they paint a picture of how English speakers bring stories into daily communication.
Conclusion
The idiom “take someone for a ride” proves that language carries history in its pocket. Born from the gangster culture of 20th-century America, it has traveled into everyday speech, shifting from violent undertones to lighthearted jokes about scams and tricks.
You’ve seen how the phrase’s dual meanings shaped its usage, how it compares to other idioms, and how it remains alive in culture and conversation. Whether you’re reading crime fiction, watching mobster films, or just chatting with friends, the idiom still resonates.
Idioms like this are more than wordplay. They’re time capsules, preserving slices of culture while evolving with new generations. Next time someone warns you not to be “taken for a ride,” you’ll know the history, the humor, and the hidden danger inside those words.
FAQs
What does “take someone for a ride” mean in slang?
In slang, “take someone for a ride” means to trick, deceive, or scam them. The phrase can also have a darker origin from mobster culture, where it meant luring someone into a car to kill them. Today, it’s mostly used in casual speech to describe being fooled or taken advantage of.
Where did the idiom “take someone for a ride” come from?
The idiom dates back to early 20th-century America, especially during Prohibition. Mobsters used cars to kidnap or kill rivals, often described as “taking them for a ride.” Over time, the violent meaning softened, and ordinary people adopted it to describe being cheated, scammed, or deceived in daily life, far from gangster origins.
How do you use “take someone for a ride” in a sentence?
You can use it to describe being tricked or scammed. Example: “The fake contractor took us for a ride and disappeared with the deposit.” Another example: “She took him for a ride with her sob story.” The phrase works for serious fraud, personal betrayal, or even joking exaggerations between friends in casual talk.
Is “take someone for a ride” still common today?
Yes, the idiom is still common in modern English. Most people use it to describe scams, lies, or manipulation, not gangster hits. It appears in conversations, journalism, movies, and even memes. Younger generations may not connect it to mobster slang, but they still understand it as a warning against being deceived or misled.
What are some similar idioms to “take someone for a ride”?
Several idioms share the same theme of deception. Examples include “pull the wool over someone’s eyes,” “lead someone on,” and “sell someone a bill of goods.” Each one emphasizes trickery but with slightly different contexts- financial scams, emotional manipulation, or clever lies. “Take someone for a ride” remains one of the most versatile.
