jerk around
/dʒɜːrk əˈraʊnd/
PHRASAL VERB
1. To treat someone unfairly or dishonestly
To treat someone in an unfair, dishonest, or disrespectful way, especially by misleading them, manipulating them, or deliberately making things difficult for them.
1.1. To deceive or mislead someone
To give someone false information, make dishonest promises, or behave deceptively so that they cannot understand what is really happening or make informed decisions.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- be honest with
- tell the truth to
- level with
- be straightforward with
Examples
- The salesman kept jerking customers around with misleading promises.
- Stop jerking me around and tell me what really happened.
Related Words
- deception
- dishonesty
- manipulation
- false promises
- duplicity
- bad faith
1.2. To waste someone's time or make things unnecessarily difficult
To deliberately delay, frustrate, or inconvenience someone by repeatedly changing arrangements, creating unnecessary obstacles, or refusing to deal with them properly.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- cooperate with
- accommodate
- help
- deal fairly with
Examples
- The insurance company jerked us around for months before approving the claim.
- Customers were tired of being jerked around by the service department.
Related Words
- delay
- frustration
- inconvenience
- bureaucracy
- runaround
- obstruction
1.3. To manipulate or take unfair advantage of someone
To control, exploit, or treat someone unfairly for personal benefit, often by taking advantage of their trust or uncertainty.
Synonyms
- exploit
- take advantage of
- manipulate
- use
- play games with
Antonyms
- respect
- treat fairly
- support
- protect
Examples
- He felt that his employer was jerking him around by constantly changing his responsibilities.
- She refused to let anyone jerk her around in business negotiations.
Related Words
PHRASAL VERB
2. To behave foolishly or waste time
To act silly, irresponsibly, or without serious purpose instead of concentrating on what needs to be done.
2.1. To fool around or act irresponsibly
To behave in a silly, careless, or unproductive way, especially when one should be working or taking something seriously.
Synonyms
- fool around
- mess around
- horse around
- goof off
- play around
Antonyms
- concentrate
- get to work
- behave responsibly
- take seriously
Examples
- Stop jerking around and finish your assignment.
- The workers spent the afternoon jerking around instead of completing the project.
Related Words
- mischief
- foolishness
- distraction
- idleness
- time-wasting
- irresponsibility