jemanden über den Tisch ziehen
to swindle/cheat someone; to get the better of someone
Origin
The origin is not entirely certain; the expression (which arose in the 20th century) is usually traced to the Bavarian sport of 'Fingerhakeln' (finger-pulling), in which one drags the opponent across the table by a hooked finger. Küpper, by contrast, suspects the old practice of corporal punishment as its source.
Building blocks
Words in this expression
Grammar that uses this word
- beziehungsweise / bzw. (respectively, or)beziehungsweise (bzw.)
- Counterfactual result clauses („zu … als dass“)Irreale Konsekutivsätze („zu … als dass“)
- Two-way prepositions with accusative (Wohin? / where to)Wechselpräpositionen mit Akkusativ (Wohin?)
- Two-way prepositions contrast: Wo? vs. Wohin? (where vs. where to)Wechselpräpositionen Kontrast: Wo? vs. Wohin?
- Positional verbs with two-way prepositions (stellen/stehen …)Lokale Verben mit Wechselpräpositionen (stellen/stehen …)
- Verb 'helfen' (to help, + dative)Verb 'helfen' (+ Dativ)
Examples
Der Gebrauchtwagenhändler hat ihn den gezogen.
The used-car dealer really ripped him off on the purchase.