lead (one) (on) a (merry) chase

lead (one) (on) a (merry) chase

To waste one's time or cause someone a great deal of confusion through deceitful, manipulative, or inexplicable behavior. You should have just said you weren't interested in investing from the beginning, rather than leading us a chase for three weeks! If someone in whom you are uninterested is pursuing you romantically, do not lead them on a merry chase—make your feelings clear from the get go.See also: chase, lead

lead someone on a merry chase

Fig. to lead someone in a purposeless pursuit. What a waste of time. You really led me on a merry chase. Jane led Bill on a merry chase trying to find an antique lamp.See also: chase, lead, merry, on

lead a chase

Also, lead a merry chase or dance . Mislead someone; waste someone's time. For example, Mary refuses to commit herself and is leading John a merry chase, or Harry led us all a dance; we were waiting at the hotel and he'd gone to the movies. [First half of 1500s] See also: chase, lead