This idiom describes deliberately misleading, delaying, or evading someone, often by providing vague answers or sending them on fruitless errands. It suggests frustrating or confusing someone seeking help or clarity, as if making them run in circles. The phrase is used in bureaucratic, customer service, or interpersonal contexts to criticize unhelpful or deceptive behavior, carrying a frustrated or indignant tone. It reflects cultural irritation with inefficiency and dishonesty, highlighting the emotional toll of being strung along.

The phrase likely originated in early 20th-century America, tied to slang for evasive tactics, possibly from sports or street games where ‘running around’ meant dodging. An early use appears in a 1924 *New York Times* article, describing a bureaucracy ‘giving the runaround’ to applicants. The idiom gained traction during the 1930s, reflecting frustrations with growing administrative systems, as seen in John Dos Passos’ *U.S.A.* trilogy. Its use grew in American English through the mid-20th century, particularly in consumer and political contexts, and spread to British English via media. The phrase’s dynamic imagery and relevance to modern frustrations ensured its enduring use.