Dupe
Noun
Definition: A person who is easily deceived or fooled; a gullible or naïve individual.
Synonyms: Sucker, Victim, Fool
Antonyms: Skeptic, Cynic, Doubter
- He fell for the scam and became a dupe.
- The con artist targeted the dupe in the crowd.
- Think of a "duped" person with a dumb expression on their face.
Verb
Definition: To deceive or trick someone into believing something false or obtaining something through crafty manipulation.
Synonyms: Deceive, Cheat, Trick
Antonyms: Enlighten, Inform, Caution
- The salesman duped the customer into buying a faulty product.
- She was duped into revealing her personal information to a scammer.
- Remember the phrase "don't be a dupe," meaning don't let yourself be fooled.
Etymology:
The word "dupe" originated from the French word "dupé," which means deceived or tricked.
Historical Usage:It has been used in English since the late 17th century.
Related Idioms:
"Duped into"
Explanation:Being tricked or deceived into something.
Misconceptions:
Using "dupe" interchangeably with "dope" or "dummy."
Explanation:While they may have similar meanings, "dupe" specifically refers to someone who is easily deceived or tricked, while "dope" or "dummy" can be more general terms for a foolish or unintelligent person.