from pillar to post from one place to another in an unceremonious or fruitless manner.

☞ This expression may have developed with reference to the rebounding of a ball in a real-tennis court. It has been in use in this form since the mid 16th century, though its earlier form, from post to pillar, dates back to the early 15th century.

2011Financial Times After almost a year of being bounced from pillar to post and asked to make changes to his product at his own expense, he was told that it failed to tick the right boxes.