jerk around
1. To move around in abrupt, jerky movements Tommy, I'm trying to get you dressed for school. Quit jerking around like that! The spy kept jerking around nervously, suspicious of every sound and shadow along the way.
2. slang To waste or pass time idly or by doing nothing or engaging in foolish behavior. Stop jerking around and start cleaning this place up—my parents will be home soon!
3. slang To tease someone, often by trying to convince them of something untrue. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "jerk" and "around." Quit jerking me around, I know there isn't a Hollywood director calling me right now.
4. slang To waste someone's time, often by being indirect, evasive, or deceitful. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "jerk" and "around." I don't understand why they didn't just tell me "no" right away. Instead, they jerked me around for three weeks when I could have been looking for other jobs. When we complained to the hotel management about the quality of our room, they just jerked us around without ever admitting to being at fault.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.