give someone the runaround
Dodge with misdirection
To give someone the runaround is to evade their questions or requests by providing misleading information, sending them from person to person, or delaying with bureaucratic obstacles: I've been trying to get a refund for weeks, but they keep giving me the runaround.
The phrase suggests deliberate evasiveness rather than simple incompetence.
- stallingIntentional delay tactics
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
- dodgingAvoiding by moving aside
- lyingStating known falsehoods
- exasperationIntense weary annoyance
obfuscating · sidestepping · equivocating · same old story · double-dealing · foot-dragging · passing the buck · annoyance · misdirecting · discouragement · deflecting · wild goose chase · helplessness · gaslighting · cold shoulder · stonewalling · closed doors · bottlenecks
give someone the runaroundtell it like it is
Speak with complete candor
lay it on the line · cut to the chase · speak plainly · get to the point · be honest
give someone the runaroundgive someone a hand
Offer assistance to another
expedite · fast-track · go the extra mile · bend over backwards · streamline
give someone the runaroundcome clean
Admit the full truth
tell the truth · lay one's cards on the table · keep someone in the loop
someone, around, rounds, rounded, rounding, rounder, roundest