game of hide-and-seek

1. A children's game in which one or more players search for another player who is hiding. A: "Hey Jimmy, wanna play a game of hide-and-seek?" B: "Sure, I'll hide first!" My daughter's elbow was peeking out from behind the curtains during our game of hide-and-seek, but I pretended that I couldn't see her. A: "Why do I only see four kids in the backyard, not five?" B: "Because they're playing a game of game of hide-and-seek."

2. By extension, a situation in which one party is constantly evading or avoiding another. The police have been playing a game of hide-and-seek with the suspect all night long. It's been a game of hide-and-seek trying to get a definitive answer about this issue from the governor. A: "Louise still hasn't returned your call?" B: "Nope, so now I'm starting to think she's playing a game of hide-and-seek."