lead on a merry chase

lead (one) (on) a (merry) chase

To waste one's time or cause someone a great deal of confusion through deceitful, manipulative, or inexplicable behavior. You should have just said you weren't interested in investing from the beginning, rather than leading us a chase for three weeks! If someone in whom you are uninterested is pursuing you romantically, do not lead them on a merry chase—make your feelings clear from the get go.
See also: chase, lead
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

lead someone on a merry chase

Fig. to lead someone in a purposeless pursuit. What a waste of time. You really led me on a merry chase. Jane led Bill on a merry chase trying to find an antique lamp.
See also: chase, lead, merry, on
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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