lead on

/ liːd /

verb

1. tr, adverb to lure or entice, esp into trouble or wrongdoing

Idioms and Phrases

Entice someone into proceeding, mislead; also, deceive someone, especially pretending romantic interest. For example, He's leading her on to reveal more of her family history , or She's just leading him on; she has a serious boyfriend at home . [Late 1500s]

Related Words

• be dishonest
• betray
• cheat
• circumvent
• defraud
• delude
• disappoint
• dupe
• entrap
• falsify
• fool
• hoodwink
• mislead
• swindle
• trick
• victimize