make a fool (out) of
idiom
: to cause (someone) to look stupid or foolish
She made a fool (out) of me by insulting me in front of my friends.
Examples of make a fool (out) of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cons: damage my reputation, make a fool of myself on national television, and piss off my parents.
—
Lizz Schumer, People.com, 6 May 2025
Lowry just laughed and drank his beer watching his buddy make a fool of himself.
—Brody Miller, The Athletic, 28 Apr. 2024
What made Conan Without Borders work so well is O’Brien’s innate ability to improvise, his willingness to make a fool of himself, and the show’s effort to tackle uncomfortable topics.
—Ian Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2024
His class anxiety had vanished and was replaced by a kind of joy that comes with watching your eldest son with a fancy education make a fool out of himself.
—Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2023
This often includes using someone’s own words to make a fool out of them – as the Lincoln Project ads often do with Trump.
—Chris Lamb, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2020
Don’t beat women, hold guns to peoples heads, fund abortions then pretend your pro-life, stalk cheerleaders, leave your multiple minor children alone to chase more fame, lie, lie, lie, say stupid crap, and make a fool of your family..
—Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 7 Dec. 2022
Make loud noises – make a fool of yourself,’’ Beatty said.
—Sue Kiesewetter, The Enquirer, 24 Feb. 2023
Of course, a phenomenon such as climate change or the pandemic may make a fool of the great-man theory.
—Lance Morrow, WSJ, 2 Dec. 2022
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Lizz Schumer, People.com, 6 May 2025
Lowry just laughed and drank his beer watching his buddy make a fool of himself.
—Brody Miller, The Athletic, 28 Apr. 2024
What made Conan Without Borders work so well is O’Brien’s innate ability to improvise, his willingness to make a fool of himself, and the show’s effort to tackle uncomfortable topics.
—Ian Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2024
His class anxiety had vanished and was replaced by a kind of joy that comes with watching your eldest son with a fancy education make a fool out of himself.
—Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2023
This often includes using someone’s own words to make a fool out of them – as the Lincoln Project ads often do with Trump.
—Chris Lamb, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2020
Don’t beat women, hold guns to peoples heads, fund abortions then pretend your pro-life, stalk cheerleaders, leave your multiple minor children alone to chase more fame, lie, lie, lie, say stupid crap, and make a fool of your family..
—Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 7 Dec. 2022
Make loud noises – make a fool of yourself,’’ Beatty said.
—Sue Kiesewetter, The Enquirer, 24 Feb. 2023
Of course, a phenomenon such as climate change or the pandemic may make a fool of the great-man theory.
—Lance Morrow, WSJ, 2 Dec. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Make a fool (out) of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%20a%20fool%20%28out%29%20of. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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