pull a Houdini (idiom)
• To perform an unexpected act of misdirection, typically involving drama or suspense, in order to divert attention.
• Often used to describe suddenly disappearing, escaping from an undesirable situation, or seizing control of a narrative.
Etymology: From the stage name of Harry Houdini (1874–1926), the famed magician and escape artist, celebrated as the “master of misdirection.”
• To perform an unexpected act of misdirection, typically involving drama or suspense, in order to divert attention.
• Often used to describe suddenly disappearing, escaping from an undesirable situation, or seizing control of a narrative.
Etymology: From the stage name of Harry Houdini (1874–1926), the famed magician and escape artist, celebrated as the “master of misdirection.”
During the heated debate, the politician tried to pull a Houdini by steering the conversation toward his opponent’s record, effectively dodging the original question.
She is known to pull a Houdini at parties—one moment she’ll be in the middle of the dance floor, and the next she’s vanished without anyone noticing.
She is known to pull a Houdini at parties—one moment she’ll be in the middle of the dance floor, and the next she’s vanished without anyone noticing.
by anonymous September 12, 2025
Get the pull a Houdinimug. "Pulling a Poe" refers to a person that is family or among best friends who fails to mention that they are in a deep relationship,have gotten serious, possibly are living together, engaged and/or married. The eventual revealing is more likely an accident than an intentional confession
by Woodrow the Vorlauf Master September 7, 2014
Get the Pulling a Poemug. The candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court really pulled a Kloppenburg when she declared victory with a 200 vote lead, but ultimately lost by over 7,300 votes!
by SchadenFred May 5, 2011
Get the pulled a Kloppenburgmug. by Gayboy29 December 7, 2017
Get the Pull an alexmug. by wrIdz September 23, 2020
Get the pulling an emmug. The action of excluding anyone but oneself from the programming of an FRC robot, resulting in a complete bricking of the robot during competition.
A: “Do you have any advice for the FRC competition?“
B: “Yeah, just make sure nobody’s pulling a Hofman. That’s what lost us the competition last year.”
A: ”What happened?”
B: ”Bro, our lead programmer pulled a Hofman. He uploaded his own code right before the match and the robot drove straight into the wall during autonomous and disabled itself.”
B: “Yeah, just make sure nobody’s pulling a Hofman. That’s what lost us the competition last year.”
A: ”What happened?”
B: ”Bro, our lead programmer pulled a Hofman. He uploaded his own code right before the match and the robot drove straight into the wall during autonomous and disabled itself.”
by Storzem allara October 17, 2019
Get the pulling a Hofmanmug. by Lemmeborrowtilwelly August 29, 2021
Get the Full Pullmug.