(in German legend) a piper who rid the town of Hamelin of rats by luring them away with his music and then, when he was not paid for his services, lured awayits children
2. (sometimes not capitals)
a person who entices others to follow him
Pied Piper in American English
1. German Legend
a musician who rids Hamelin of its rats by leading them with his piping to the river, where they drown: in revenge for not being paid, he pipes the village children to a mountain, where they disappear
: in full Pied Piper of Hamelin
2. [alsop- p-]
a leader whom people willingly follow, often, specif., one who leads others into danger or trouble by means of elaborate, false promises
Examples of 'Pied Piper' in a sentence
Pied Piper
No chance of her mistaking anyone else for the Pied Piper, though.
Smith, Evelyn E MISS MELVILLE REGRETS (2003)
Other travellers were like the Pied Piper or the UN turning up with a lorry-load of aid.