bum steer

[ buhm steer ]

noun

, Slang

1. a piece of erroneous or misleading information or advice:

   He's been our broker for ten years, and far too honest and knowledgeable to give us a bum steer.

bum steer

noun

1. slang.
   false or misleading information or advice

Word History and Origins

Origin of bum steer¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; bum ¹( def ) (in the sense “of poor or unsatisfactory quality”) + steer ¹( def ) (in the sense “a tip, hint on a course of action”

Idioms and Phrases

False or misleading information; poor advice. For example, Gene felt his doctor had given him a bum steer, as he hadn't lost any weight on the diet . [ Slang ; c. 1920]