“Être le dindon de la farce” is a comical French expression that translates literally to “to be the turkey in the joke”. “Une farce” can actually translate better to practical joke. Here’s the English meaning:
- to be taken for a ride
- to be duped
The expression really mean to be had in a business deal. Here’s an example sentence:
- Il m’a vendu la voiture pour huit-cent dollars mais elle est tombée en panne le lendemain. J’ai été le dindon dans la farce! He sold me the car for $800 but it but it broke down the next day. I was taken for a ride!
Here are some synonymous expressions and verbs:
- se faire avoir – to be had
- mener en bateau – to take for a ride
- se faire rouler dans la farine – to be taken for a ride, get ripped off