put something over on

Or a third possibility: maybe he was trying to put something over on the Klansman.

“If you seem to respect him, he thinks he’s put something over on you — therefore you’re a fool.”

Also adding to the intensity is that at any given point in the story, one if not more of its protagonists is trying to put something over on the others, as devious plans are formed only to get increasingly out of hand.

We check to make sure no one is trying to put something over on the consumer or offering a product that is not proper.

He knew that the Admiral was trying to "put something over on him," and he rose to the occasion.