🚗 Taken for a Ride: Deceptions and Dark Streets 🚘
The Meaning and Origins of ‘Taken for a Ride’
Ah, “taken for a ride.” On the surface, it sounds like a pleasant jaunt through the countryside, perhaps with the top down and the wind in your hair. But delve a bit deeper, and you uncover a duo of sinister and slippery meanings that offer either deceptive chuckles or deadly seriousness.
Definitions:
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To deceive or play a joke on someone: Phrases like “pull the wool over someone’s eyes” or “lead someone on a merry chase” can bring similar imagery to mind.
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To murder someone: More grimly, in the underworld slang of the 1930s and 1940s, this phrase could foreshadow a one-way trip that ended in a very permanent departure. Synonyms include “bumped off,” “sent to sleep with the fishes,” or “deep-sixed.”
Related Terms:
- Eyewasher: One who deceives.
- Bamboozle: To fool or trick.
- Hoodwink: Deceive by trickery.
Quotes to Tickle Your Fancy:
- “He was to be ’taken for a ride.’ " — Eric Ambler, Journey into Fear (1940)
- “She certainly took him for a ride.” — J. P. McEvoy, Hollywood Girl (1929)
Suggested Media to Enhance the Mood:
Literature:
- Journey into Fear by Eric Ambler
- The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
Movies:
- The Godfather Series
- L.A. Confidential
Music:
- Listen to “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson for that eerie, mysterious vibe.
- Try “Take a Ride” by The Beta Band for a more lighthearted perspective.
Quiztime Fun!
Abbey Booksellers Publishing Ltd. 2023-10-01
“Remember, sometimes a seemingly harmless jaunt can hold deeper implications. Always be aware of who’s driving!” 🛣️
