lead by the nose

Verb

1.

lead by the nose - conceal one's true motives from especially by elaborately feigning good intentions so as to gain an end; "He bamboozled his professors into thinking that he knew the subject well" Synonyms: bamboozle, play false, pull the wool over someone's eyes, snow, hoodwink

bamboozle, betray, deceive, hoodwink, lead astray, play false, pull the wool over someone's eyes, snow