runaround
Bureaucratic stalling tactics
A runaround is evasive or misleading treatment, especially when seeking information or action from someone in authority: I've been trying to get a straight answer, but they keep giving me the runaround.
The word suggests being shuffled from person to person or excuse to excuse without resolution.
Also written as two words: run-around.
Intense weary annoyance
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
- annoyanceState of being bothered
- aggravationState of being vexed
- impatienceIntolerance of delay
vexation · displeasure · chagrin · disgruntlement · stonewalling · brush-off · dismissal · rebuff
Argument against
- trickDeliberate deception
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- hustleEnergetic, aggressive action
flimflam · swindle · dupery · chicanery · bamboozle · hoodwink · misdirection · fakery
Avoid by quick movement
- sidestepEvade by moving aside
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
- deflectionChange in trajectory
- circumventAvoid by going around
elude · duck · swerve · parry · skirt · bypass · equivocate · prevaricate
Administrative written tasks
- referralDirecting someone elsewhere
- transferMove between locations
- departmentsSubdivisions of an organization
- waitingRemaining in expectation
queue · holdup · bottleneck · obstruction · forms · officials · hotline · voicemail
exasperation
Intense weary annoyance
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
- annoyanceState of being bothered
- aggravationState of being vexed
impatience · vexation · displeasure · chagrin · disgruntlement · stonewalling · brush-off · dismissal · rebuff · excuses
con
Argument against
hustle · flimflam · swindle · dupery · chicanery · bamboozle · hoodwink · misdirection · fakery · put-on
dodge
Avoid by quick movement
- sidestepEvade by moving aside
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
- deflectionChange in trajectory
circumvent · elude · duck · swerve · parry · skirt · bypass · equivocate · prevaricate · hedging
paperwork
Administrative written tasks
- referralDirecting someone elsewhere
- transferMove between locations
- departmentsSubdivisions of an organization
waiting · queue · holdup · bottleneck · obstruction · forms · officials · hotline · voicemail · callback
stall
Enclosed compartment or delay
waiting · lag · procrastinate · suspend · dawdle · dally · tarry · linger · prolong · extension
- bureaucracybureaucracy, bureaucrat, bureaucrats, red tape, civil service
- avoidance tacticsdodge, evasion, deflection, misdirection, non-answer
- consumer problemsdefective product, billing error, wrong item, hidden fees, hidden fee
- evasionsno comment, dodge, deflection, hedging, equivocation
- ineffective responsesexcuses, deflection, denial, avoidance, stonewalling
- obstructionobstruction, delay, roadblock, blockade, barricade
runaroundstraight talk
Honest, direct communication
candor · frankness · directness · transparency · straight shooting
runaroundfair treatment
Impartial, unbiased handling
assistance · cooperation · responsiveness · red carpet treatment · VIP treatment
- give someone the runaroundEvade with repeated delays