yank somebody's chain

yank (one's) chain

To tease one, often by trying to convince them of something that isn't true. Quit yanking my chain, I know there isn't a Hollywood director calling me right now. I love yanking my sister's chain—it's almost too easy to fool her.See also: chain, yank

yank somebody’s ˈchain

(American English, informal) tell somebody something which is not true, as a joke: Did you mean what you said, or were you just yanking my chain? Yank means pull something hard, quickly and suddenly.See also: chain, yank