lead by the nose

Verb

Meaning

conceal one's true motives from especially by elaborately feigning good intentions so as to gain an end

Source: WordNet

control head lead rule direct guide command snow manage dominate govern boss hoodwink bamboozle domineer

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brook accept wear observe obey endure

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betray deceive lead astray

A man never reaches that dizzy height of wisdom that he can no longer be lead by the nose. Mark Twain

He bamboozled his professors into thinking that he knew the subject well Source: Internet