Bamboozle Someone Into Doing vs. Bamboozle Someone To Do
Cambridge directly illustrates bamboozle + object + into + -ing for deceiving someone so that the person takes an action. The cited entry does not establish bamboozle + object + to-infinitive as an equally documented alternative, so this guide does not manufacture a two-way rule.
Use “bamboozle someone into doing something” for the directly documented action pattern; do not assume “bamboozle someone to do” has the same support.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning | Pattern | Evidence boundary |
|---|---|---|
| deceive someone so they act | bamboozle + person + into + -ing | directly documented |
| person + to-infinitive | bamboozle + person + to do | not established as an equivalent by the reviewed source |
Quick tests
Deception-result test
Are you saying deception caused the person to take the action?
If yes: Use “bamboozle + person + into + -ing.”
If no: If you intend another meaning, recast the sentence rather than assuming a parallel to-infinitive complement.
Caveat: The evidence supports the into + -ing construction and does not justify manufacturing an equally supported “to do” alternative.
Examples
The caller bamboozled him into revealing the code.
Deception leads to the action in the documented pattern.
They were bamboozled into paying an extra fee.
The passive form retains “into + -ing.”
The caller bamboozled him to reveal the code.
Better: The caller bamboozled him into revealing the code.
The reviewed source does not establish this as the parallel action complement.
Further guidance
Boundary
The cited entry does not establish bamboozle + object + to-infinitive as an equally documented alternative, so this guide does not manufacture a two-way rule.
Construction
Cambridge directly illustrates bamboozle + object + into + -ing for deceiving someone so that the person takes an action.
Decision
Use “bamboozle someone into doing something” for the directly documented action pattern; do not assume “bamboozle someone to do” has the same support.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- bamboozle — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Dictionary example showing bamboozle + object + into + doing