yank someone around
yank around
1. To pull, jerk, or tug someone or something from place to place, in multiple directions, or here and there within (someplace). The kids were so excited to see their cousin that they kept yanking him around the house to show him different things. I felt like she just yanked me around the city without ever asking what I would like to see. If you keep yanking around your suitcase like that, it's going to end up getting broken!
2. slang To tease someone, especially by trying to convince them of something that is untrue. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can used between "yank" and "around." Quit yanking me around—I know there isn't a Hollywood director on the phone for me right now. He loved nothing more than to yank around his gullible younger brother.
3. slang To waste someone's time by being evasive, manipulative, or deceitful. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can used between "yank" and "around." I don't understand why they didn't just tell me "no" right away. Instead, they yanked me around for three weeks when I could have been looking for other jobs. You owe us $30,000, you sniveling little weasel! If you think you can yank Fat Tony around like this and get away with it, then you've got another think coming, pal!
See also: around, yank
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
yank someone around
tv. to harass someone; to give someone a hard time. (see also jerk someone around.) Please stop yanking me around.
See also: around, someone, yank
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- jerk (someone or something) out of (something or some place)
- jerk out of
- ditch (some place)
- in place of (something)
- flock in
- flock in(to) (some place or thing)
- defect to
- defect to (something)
- flush out of some place
- Mecca for