play (someone) like a fiddle

play (someone) like a fiddle

To easily and deftly manipulate someone to suit one's own needs, ends, or benefits. That travelling salesman played me like a fiddle. Now what am I going to do with all this junk that he convinced me to buy? Can't you see that his flattery is totally insincere? He's playing you like a fiddle!See also: fiddle, like, play