give somebody the runaround

give (one) the runaround

To give one unclear, misleading, incomplete, or evasive information, especially in a response to a question or request. When I call the telephone company for an explanation of all these extra charges, they always give me the runaround. The reporter tried to get a clear answer from the senator regarding her stance on immigration, but she just gave him the runaround.See also: give, runaround

give somebody the ˈrunaround

(informal) treat somebody badly by not telling them the truth, or by not giving them the help or the information they need, and sending them somewhere else: Residents claim they were given the runaround by the local council, from whom they had no help at all.See also: give, runaround, somebody