Getting fleeced
Meaning
To be cheated or overcharged excessively, often leaving one with significantly less money or resources than expected.
Origin
Imagine a sheep, plump with its valuable woolly coat. When it's time for shearing, that coat—its fleece—is completely removed, leaving the animal bare. This vivid image of stripping away a valuable possession is precisely where the phrase "getting fleeced" finds its origins. As early as the 16th century, English speakers began to use 'fleece' as a verb, not just for sheep, but for people too. To 'fleece' someone meant to strip them of their money or possessions, often through trickery, overcharging, or unfair means, much like a shepherd efficiently removes a sheep's entire coat. The phrase paints a clear picture of someone being thoroughly exploited, left with nothing.
Examples
- I bought a used car from that dealership and later found out they'd added hidden fees, so I really felt like I was getting fleeced.
- Tourists in busy markets often worry about getting fleeced by street vendors selling overpriced souvenirs.