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”?
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”?
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.