bait

bait and switch

Fig. a deceptive merchandising practice where one product is advertised at a low price to get people's attention [the bait], but pressure is applied to get the customer to purchase a more expensive item. Walter described how the store used bait and switch, since they never seemed to have in stock the bargains that they advertised. Wilbur accused the merchant of bait and switch practices and stalked out of the store.

See also: and, switch

crow bait

Rur. someone or an animal that is likely to die; a useless animal or person. That old dog used to hunt good, but now he's just crow bait.

See also: crow

Fish or cut bait.

Fig. Do something or get out of the way. Fish or cut bait, Chuck. There's work to be done here. Decide whether you're going to watch or help. Fish or cut bait.

See also: cut, fish

rise to the bait

Fig. to respond to an allurement; to fall for an enticement or fall into a trap. (Alludes to a fish coming up from deep water to seize bait.) You can get him here easily. Tell him that there will be lots of food and he will rise to the bait. He rose to the bait and did just as he was expected to do.

See also: rise

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Fish or cut bait.  (American)

something that you say to someone when you want them to make a decision and take action without any more delay Your relationship's going nowhere. It's time to fish or cut bait.

See also: cut, fish

rise to the bait

to react to something that someone has said in exactly the way that they wanted you to react, usually by becoming angry (often negative) Anthony keeps saying that women make bad drivers but I refuse to rise to the bait.

See also: rise

swallow/take the bait

to accept something that is only being offered to you so that you will do something The offer of a free radio with every television proved very popular, and hundreds of shoppers swallowed the bait.

See rise to the bait

See also: swallow

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fish or cut bait

to act or decide you are not going to do anything The time has come when you have to fish or cut bait - either you help us plan what to do or we will decide and go ahead without you.

See also: cut, fish

rise to the bait

to react to something that was said just to make you react Tony keeps saying that women are bad drivers, but I refuse to rise to the bait and don't answer him.

See also: rise

take the bait also swallow the bait

to accept something that was offered to get you to do something I flirted with Kate, teased her some, but she never took the bait. Others tried to focus on our disagreements, but we didn't take the bait and instead talked about what we can do together.

See also: take