For example, if you said that someone had been fooled by something, would they take offense and think you’re calling them a fool or foolish?

What if you say someone’s been “played for a fool”?

  • Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works
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    7 months ago

    Not necessarily, it means someone else was smarter than you, or exploited a weakness of yours, which might be your kind heart or your greed, rather than a lack of intelligence. Note: kindhearted people won’t mind being told this but greedy people will mind. “Scammed” or “exploited” put the onus on the perpetrator. If you already said "played for a fool " and they took offense, consider adding some of these types of synonyms if you want to mend their feelings.