Phrase guide

string along

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To keep somebody falsely believing that one has certain intentions.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • She's been telling me for ages that she wants to meet up, but won't give me a date. I'm convinced she's stringing me along.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

move or come along

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: string

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: advance, progress, pass on, move on, march on, go on

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: mener en bateau — to keep somebody falsely believing that one has certain intentions
  • German: hinhalten — to keep somebody falsely believing that one has certain intentions
  • German: falsche Hoffnungen machen — to keep somebody falsely believing that one has certain intentions
  • Spanish: esperanzar engañosamente — to keep somebody falsely believing that one has certain intentions
  • Spanish: seguir el juego — to keep somebody falsely believing that one has certain intentions