give someone the runaround

English

Pronunciation
  • Audio (AU)(file)

Verb

give someone the runaround (third-person singular simple present gives someone the runaround, present participle giving someone the runaround, simple past gave someone the runaround, past participle given someone the runaround)

  1. (idiomatic) To delay, dodge, or frustrate (someone), especially by providing useless information or directions.
    They gave me the runaround when I called. I got a full tour of the facility by phone, but no answer to my question.
    • 1986 April 19, Loie Hayes, Donna Deitch, “Leapin' Lesbians!”, in Gay Community News, page 8:
      Deitch decided seven years ago that she wanted to film a lesbian love story. When major producers gave her the run-around, she formed her own production company, hustled for backers and gathered the right crew of technicians and actors to make it happen.
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