noun

runaround

Runaround (noun) means Evasive or misleading treatment meant to delay or avoid giving someone a straight answer. Example: “Every time she called customer service, she got the runaround.”

noun

Evasive or misleading treatment meant to delay or avoid giving someone a straight answer.

"Every time she called customer service, she got the runaround."

"He gave his boss the runaround instead of admitting the project was late."

How to use runaround

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBeing deliberately stalled or given excuses instead of a real answer.

Common pairings

give someone the runaround get the runaround

Word forms

runarounds plural

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Every time she called customer service, she got the _____.

Etymology

Formed from the verb phrase "run around", in the sense of leading someone in circles.

Rhymes for runaround

pound wound sound bound found round hound mound abound ground around rebound

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Frequently asked questions

What does “runaround” mean?

The word “runaround” means evasive or misleading treatment meant to delay or avoid giving someone a straight answer. In plain terms, being deliberately stalled or given excuses instead of a real answer.

How do you use “runaround” in a sentence?

Here is “runaround” used in a sentence: “Every time she called customer service, she got the runaround.”

What part of speech is “runaround”?

“Runaround” is a noun.

What is the meaning of runaround?

"runaround" (noun) means evasive or misleading treatment meant to delay or avoid giving someone a straight answer.