give somebody the runaround
give (one) the runaround
To give one unclear, misleading, incomplete, or evasive information, especially in a response to a question or request. When I call the telephone company for an explanation of all these extra charges, they always give me the runaround. The reporter tried to get a clear answer from the senator regarding her stance on immigration, but she just gave him the runaround.
See also: give, runaround
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
give somebody the ˈrunaround
(informal) treat somebody badly by not telling them the truth, or by not giving them the help or the information they need, and sending them somewhere else: Residents claim they were given the runaround by the local council, from whom they had no help at all.See also: give, runaround, somebody
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- give (one) the runaround
- give someone the runaround
- get the runaround
- runaround
- I don't know
- pencil whip
- give (one) a bum steer
- haw
- hem and haw
- hum