string along

British  

verb

1. to agree or appear to be in agreement (with)

2. to accompany

3. Also: string on.  (tr) to deceive, fool, or hoax, esp in order to gain time

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string along Idioms  

1. Go along with someone, accompany or follow, as in I decided to string along with them, just to see what might happen . [ Colloquial ; first half of 1900s]

2. Agree, as in We knew that three committee members would string along with us for now . [ Colloquial ; first half of 1900s]

3. string someone along . Keep someone waiting or in a state of uncertainty; also, fool or deceive someone. For example, We were stringing them along, hoping that we'd get a better offer , or She was in tears when she found out that he'd just been stringing her along . [ Colloquial ; c. 1900]

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Example Sentences

Deceiving ourselves that way is foolish; using that lie to string along our loved ones is pitiless.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2023

While these changes will improve access for an additional segment of adolescents, many will unfortunately continue to string along on wait lists.

From Washington Post • Sep. 3, 2021

After a 10-race card on Wednesday, it was refreshing to see such a big cutback in order to string along a series of 40 races a week.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 18, 2019

"Typically in the form of payments designed to string along victims so as to prevent Mr. Avenatti's financial house of cards from collapsing."

From Fox News • Apr. 11, 2019

“If you string along with me you’ll get plenty more.”

From "Native Son" by Richard Wright