string along

verbplay with; keep dangling

Synonyms for string along

verb play with; keep dangling

Antonyms for string along

Word Origin & History

Old English streng "line, cord, thread," from Proto-Germanic *strangiz (cf. Old Norse strengr, Danish streng, Middle Dutch strenge, Dutch streng, Old High German strang, German Strang "rope, cord"), from *strang- "taut, stiff," from PIE root *strenk- "tight, narrow; pull tight, twist" (see strain). Gradually restricted by early Middle English to lines that are smaller than a rope. Sense of "a number of objects arranged in a line" first recorded late 15c.

Old English meaning "ligaments, tendons" is preserved in hamstring, heartstrings. Meaning "limitations, stipulations" (1888) is American English, probably from the common April Fool's joke of leaving a purse that looks full of money on the sidewalk, then tugging it away with an attached string when someone stoops to pick it up. To pull strings "control the course of affairs" (1860) is from the notion of puppet theater. First string, second string, etc. in athletics (1863) is from archers' custom of carrying spare bowstrings in the event that one breaks. Strings "stringed instruments" is attested from mid-14c. String bean is from 1759; string bikini is from 1974.

Example Sentences for string along

Then stretch your string along the course you desire to steam.

"Dworken, you were a sap to string along with him even that far," I said wearily.

So you have decided to string along with your father and Barney?

"Maybe I can bluff them, or maybe they'll string along for a while," he said.

So I watched the lightning flare and string along the horizon.

In that case, I string along with the Chief--take what he started to say about you and run it clear across the board for me!

Oh, they string along all through the loading for two or three days, and from that right up to the last minute.

And in a moment she set the end of the bow to her foot, and bent the bow, and slipped the string along, and the bow was strung!

Stretch the string along the line till you come to the end of this line.

A number of lumps of sun-dried flesh were hanging on a string along the wall, and a few bulging liquor skins reposed in a corner.

string along

Synonyms for string along

Antonyms for string along

accompanies

accompany

beguile

beguiled

beguiles

string along

Synonyms for string along

Antonyms for string along

More words related to string along

accompanied

accompanies

accompany

beguile

beguiled

beguiles