The French expression “tomber dans le panneau” translates literally to ‘to fall into the net’. English meanings include:
- to fall into the trap
- to fall for it
- to get taken for a ride
Normally “peanneau” means sign as in road sign. However, here it means trap. Here’s an example sentence:
Oh là là, je me suis fait avoir! Il m’a vendu la voiture pour un prix trop élevé! Je suis tombé dans le panneau encore une fois! Oh, I was had! He sold me the car for a price that was too high. I fell into the trap yet again!
Here are some related expressions:
- se faire rouler dans la farine – to get ripped off
- mener en bateau – to take somebody for a ride
- être le dindon de la farce – to be taken for a ride
