put-on

/ˌpʊd ˈɑn/

/ˈpʊtɒn/

Definitions of put-on

1. noun

   something intended to deceive; deliberate trickery intended to gain an advantage
   synonyms: dupery, fraud, fraudulence, hoax, humbug

   types:

   goldbrick

   anything that is supposed to be valuable but turns out to be worthless

   type of:

   chicane, chicanery, guile, shenanigan, trickery, wile

   the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)
2. noun

   a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way
   synonyms: burlesque, charade, lampoon, mockery, parody, pasquinade, sendup, spoof, takeoff, travesty

   type of:

   caricature, imitation, impersonation

   a representation of a person that is exaggerated for comic effect
3. noun

   a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement
   synonyms: antic, caper, joke, prank, trick

   types:

   dirty trick

   an unkind or aggressive trick

   practical joke

   a prank or trick played on a person (especially one intended to make the victim appear foolish)

   April fool

   a practical joke or trick played on the first day of April

   hotfoot

   a practical joke that involves inserting a match surreptitiously between the sole and upper of the victim's shoe and then lighting it

   rag

   a boisterous practical joke (especially by college students)

   snipe hunt

   an elaborate practical joke in which the unsuspecting victim hunts a snipe and is typically left in the dark holding a bag and waiting for the snipe to run into it

   type of:

   diversion, recreation

   an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates