runaround
Americannoun
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indecisive or evasive treatment, especially in response to a request.
Ask for a raise and he'll give you the runaround.
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Printing. an arrangement of type in which several lines are set in narrower measure than the others in a column to accommodate an illustration, initial, or the like.
Etymology
Origin of runaround
1870–75, noun use of verb phrase run around
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
We called the White House for an explanation, got the runaround, and heard nothing by our deadline.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
The agency says you can call the Treasury Department’s Electronic Payment Solution Center, but if you’re getting the runaround, going to an office in person is likely your best bet.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026
People generally use “Kafkaesque” as an exaggerated metaphor, perhaps to describe the runaround you get from an insurance company or an especially aggravating trip to the DMV.
From Salon ● Apr. 20, 2025
By his own admission, Marcus Johnson's metallic blue Suzuki Swift was an unremarkable car - a little runaround bought after passing his driving test.
From BBC ● Dec. 8, 2024
For some unknown reason, the authorities kept on giving him the runaround, telling him to bring this and that document, this and that certificate.
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
