1. to deceive or trick someone, especially through trickery or sleight of hand
Usage: informal
2. to drug someone secretly, especially by putting something in their drink
Usage: informal

Examples

• The magician hocuses the audience with his elaborate card tricks.
• She suspected someone had hocused her drink at the party.
• The con artist hocuses unsuspecting tourists with fake jewelry.
• He hocuses his way through the interview with clever lies.
• The bartender was accused of hocusing customers’ drinks.
• Don’t let that smooth talker hocus you into buying something you don’t need.