1 B2 idiomatic informal
To deceive someone by giving them false hope over a period of time, especially in a romantic or professional context.
"He strung her along for two years with promises of marriage that never came."
separable
string along
B2 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To deceive someone by maintaining false hope, or to accompany someone informally.
In plain English
To keep someone believing something false to benefit yourself, or to go along with someone.
What does "string along" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To accompany someone informally; to go along with a group.
"Mind if I string along with you to the market?"
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To keep something on a string — like a puppet controlled by its strings.
Actually means
To keep someone believing something false to benefit yourself, or to go along with someone.
Usage tip
The deceptive sense is the most common and is often used in romantic or business contexts. The 'accompany' sense is less common and usually means joining someone informally. Often implies a sustained, prolonged deception rather than a single lie.
Words that pair with "string along"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
months years false hope promises partner investor
How to conjugate "string along"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
string along
I/you/we/they
3rd person
strings along
he/she/it
Past simple
stringed along
yesterday
Past participle
stringed along
have + pp
-ing form
stringing along
continuous
Hear "string along" in the wild
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Other ways to say "string along"
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