whip the devil around the stump
whip the devil around the stump
obsolete To act evasively or deceptively. The committee needs to take decisive action and stop whipping the devil around the stump. This latest document is just a way for the lawyer to whip the devil around the stump and keep delaying the proceedings.
See also: around, devil, stump, whip
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
- the devil of a time
- devil of a job
- a devil of a
- a devil of a job
- a/the devil of a job, nuisance, fellow, etc.
- what (in) the devil
- up a stump
- the devil incarnate
- cheat on
- cheat on (someone or something)