a bum steer

a bum steer

Poor, inaccurate, or misleading information or advice. My advisor really gave me a bum steer when she pushed me to take this class that I'm currently failing. I did my own research to confirm that my doctor wasn't giving me a bum steer when she suggested this procedure.
See also: bum, steer
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*bum steer

misleading instructions or guidance; a misleading suggestion. (Bum = false; phony. Steer = guidance, as in the steering of a car. *Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) Wilbur gave Ted a bum steer and Ted ended up in the wrong town. I got a bum steer from the salesman, and I paid far more than I needed to for a used car.
See also: bum, steer
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

bum steer

False or misleading information; poor advice. For example, Gene felt his doctor had given him a bum steer, as he hadn't lost any weight on the diet . [Slang; c. 1920]
See also: bum, steer
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a bum steer

mainly AMERICAN, INFORMAL
If you describe information that you are given as a bum steer, you mean that it is incorrect. Did you give me a bum steer about your name and address? Note: This expression may refer to a worthless bullock, which is a young male cow. Alternatively, it may refer to someone being given directions which are not correct.
See also: bum, steer
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

bum steer

a piece of false information or guidance. informal, chiefly North American
In this context, bum means ‘bad, worthless’, and steer ‘advice’ or ‘guidance’ (it has no connection with young bulls).
See also: bum, steer
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a bum ˈsteer

(American English, informal) wrong or unhelpful information or advice: Whoever recommended this software gave you a bum steer, I’m afraid.
See also: bum, steer
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

bum steer

(ˈbəm ˈstir)
n. a false lead; false information. You sure gave me a bum steer when you told me who he was.
See also: bum, steer
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

bum steer

Bad advice. This slangy term uses bum in the sense of incorrect or erroneous, a usage dating from the 1890s or earlier. Former New York governor Mario Cuomo in his 1968 book, Thieves, wrote, “I guess I gave you a bum steer on him.”
See also: bum, steer
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer

bum steer

Misleading advice. This phrase has nothing to do with a tough piece of steak. “Bum” signifies “wrong” and “steer” means “direction” in the sense of steering a vehicle. So if someone has given you a bum steer, you have in a sense grounds for a beef.
See also: bum, steer
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • bum steer
  • steer
  • give (one) a bum steer
  • don't believe everything you read
  • bum something
  • bum
  • bummed
  • wrote
  • paper never refused ink
  • bum (something)
References in periodicals archive
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has admitted that he has thrice provided a bum steer, albeit unintended, to the media about the end of the crisis here.
DND chief admits underestimating Maute strength
So fair suck of the sav, mate; a steer is a direction, guide or tip, and a bum is rather self-evident, so a bum steer is simply "bad advice."
Remember 'fun'?
A MOTORIST with a chronic fear of bridges and tunnels got a bum steer when his satnav directed him to the Dartford Crossing - which has both.
TAKE A FRIGHT TURN.. Driver's 999 call at tunnel fear
LOOKS as if someone gave Art Garfunkel's wife a bum steer when she bought this frayed frock.
I made a right Art of myself
One reason why earlier research may have given physicians a bum steer on the diet/ADHD connection is that foods now considered to be a concern were not eliminated in the earlier diets tested: milk, chocolate, wheat, rye, corn, citrus, legumes and eggs.
Controlling kids: are diet and toxic substances linked to attention deficit disorder? (Your Health)
Cheeky Paul Gascoigne gives team-mate Paul Ince a bum steer during England Under- 21's World Cup opener in Moldova yesterday.
That's a bit of a bummer, Gazza
May nagbulong doon, may nagbulong doon na kung ano, ganoon yun (I think it is clear that it was a bum steer. Someone has informed him).
Sotto says bribery claim a bum steer; Bam to Andanar: verify info
I am not dim, I have travelled a lot and I speak a number of languages, but I was utterly baffled by the meaning of ".....give 'em a wrap and they give you a bum steer ...."
Jargon intriguing
Members of South Sefton Primary Care Trust didn't want to give people a bum steer - so they checked with the public before they unleashed a proposed health poster (pictured bottom, if you'll excuse the pun).
The Insider: Now for the good nudes
However, with apparent contempt for Pleat's comments, Hoddle said: ``If someone wants to give you a bum steer, then so be it.
Football: Hoddle not so Keane