Give the Runaround

The Definition

This idiom refers to the act of providing evasive, diversionary, or intentionally unhelpful responses to a person’s inquiries. It typically involves directing an individual to multiple different sources or departments to avoid taking responsibility or providing a direct answer, resulting in a state of perpetual "junk" movement without progress.

The Deep Dive

The phrase is a behavioral metaphor that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, likely reflecting the increasing complexity of modern bureaucracy and social etiquette.

  • Bureaucratic Evasion: The core of the idiom is the concept of a circular path. In a large organization, a person seeking information might be told by Department A that they must speak to Department B, only for Department B to send them back to Department A. This "runaround" ensures that the individual remains in motion but never reaches their destination. It is the antithesis of a direct path, designed to exhaust the seeker until they abandon their quest.

  • The "Social" Runaround: In interpersonal relationships, the phrase was historically used to describe a person who avoids making a firm commitment to a date or a proposal. Instead of a "straight arrow" rejection, the individual offers vague excuses or shifts the topic, effectively keeping the other person at a distance while remaining technically polite.

  • Linguistic Evolution: The term gained significant traction in the 1930's and 40's as public frustration with government and corporate "red tape" increased. It represents a situation where the "flock" of administrators uses complexity as a shield against accountability, forcing the individual into a repetitive and fruitless cycle of effort.

Fast Facts

  • The "Red Tape" Connection: While "the runaround" describes the action of being diverted, "red tape" refers to the rules and regulations that allow such diversions to occur.

  • Musical Influence: The phrase was cemented in modern pop culture through various blues and rock songs throughout the 20th century, typically depicting a protagonist frustrated by a lover’s evasive behavior.

References

  • Ammer, C. (2013). The Dictionary of Clichés. Skyhorse Publishing.

  • Lighter, J. E. (1994). Historical Dictionary of American Slang.

  • Oxford English Dictionary. (2026). The Sociology of Institutional Evasion in the 20th Century.