runaround

get the runaround

To receive unclear, misleading, incomplete, or evasive information, especially in a response to a question or request. I always get the runaround when I call the telephone company to explain all these extra charges. The reporter tried to get a clear answer from the senator regarding her stance on immigration, but he just got the runaround.
See also: get, 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.

*runaround

a series of excuses, delays, and referrals. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) You'll get the runaround if you ask to see the manager. I hate it when they give me the runaround.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

get the runaround

Be treated evasively or misleadingly, especially in response to a request. For example, Every time I ask about next year's plans I get the runaround. The related expression give the runaround means "to treat evasively or misleadingly," as in He gives her the runaround whenever she asks for time off. [Early 1900s]
See also: get, runaround
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

give someone the runaround

INFORMAL
If someone gives you the runaround, they try to confuse you or make it difficult for you to do something, for example by not giving you information you need. In early August, someone close could give you the runaround, especially where it concerns money or other joint matters. I'm fed up with being given the runaround. Note: You can also say you get the runaround from someone. Furness made a few inquiries and got the runaround every time.
See also: give, runaround, someone
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

give someone the runaround

deceive and confuse someone; avoid answering someone's questions directly. informal
See also: give, runaround, someone
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

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

runaround

n. a wild-goose chase. (Especially with give, as in the examples.) The IRS gave us the runaround when we asked for a review.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • get the runaround
  • give (one) the runaround
  • give somebody the runaround
  • give someone the runaround
  • pencil whip
  • I don't know
  • haw
  • hem and haw
  • hem and haw, to
  • hum
References in periodicals archive
Table 1 shows the cost to deliver 10,000 cfm (4719 L/s) of room neutral air (72[degrees]F [22[degrees]C] and 50% maximum humidity) with no energy recovery, with a traditional runaround coil and with a dedicated heat recovery chiller enhanced runaround coil.
Heat recovery for school
HAVING A LARF: The late great Mike Reid (left) presented the classic kids' programme Runaround in the 70s before going on to find more fame in EastEnders
Presenter who had real get up and G-G-G-GO! REWIND Proof telly isn't as good as it was Runaround (ITV 1975-1981)
features text runaround as a standard element, but it also includes the reverse of text runaround - flowing text inside an object and conforming to its borders.
In print with Publish It!
system full-load heat rejection to the runaround system, eliminating the need for an auxiliary system cooling tower.
Sustainable remedy for hospital
STEVE DAVIS gave Fergal O'Brien the runaround when the pair last met and can do the same in Plymouth today, writes Adrian Humphries.
Snooker: 6-5 Davis to foil O'Brien yet again
"My landlord gave me the runaround and said subleasing wasn't permissible," she recalls.
Whose house is it: Five tips to take the hassle out of the landlord-tenant relationship
AN OSTRICH-LIKE bird that escaped from its pen has been snapped giving local people the runaround.
Runaway rhea beating about bush
With Amanda's claws out and Alesha on top feisty form, they'll no doubt be giving the boys the runaround.
3 TO SEE; SATURDAY April 20
We're halfway there but in the game against Den Haag they gave us the runaround a wee bit."
YOGI GOING DUTCH
Almost a third of under 21-year-olds prefer a used high-end model to a new "average little runaround." The survey polled more than 3,000 UK adults and more than half said their car affects their image and how others perceive them.
Image is priority for choice of car
I feel pretty confident going into the derby game but reckon Zarate could give Knight the runaround.
Football: Letter: Your Shout - GREAT result for Villa
He was the first host of Runaround, when it launched in 1975, in a fast-paced format devised by Merril Heatter and Bob Quigley
Rewind: Presenter who had real get up and g-g-g-g-go; Runaround (ITV1975-1981)
He is know for starring in The Comedians and kids TV show Runaround.
showbiz: STAN THE MAN
After they both graduated with first-class honours, Kathryn and Catrina decided to work together professionally and have toured both regionally and nationally with their plays, After Her Death, Falling Knives and Runaround Wives and Stand and Tan.
Nominee 1
Mochdre amassed 225-5 as Pwllheli were given the runaround at their own Bodegroes Park on a top quality strip.
Cricket: Swashbuckling 134 not out by Paul Buckley