The phrase "strung along" means to be led on or deceived by someone. The word "strung" is spelled with a "u" in the middle, which represents the phonetic sound /ʌ/, pronounced like "uh." The letter "n" following the "u" represents the voiced nasal sound /ŋ/, similar to the "ng" sound in the word "sing." The ending "ed" is pronounced with the sound /d/, indicating past tense. So, "strung along" is spelled with the IPA transcription /strʌŋ əˈlɒŋ/ in British English or /strʌŋ əˈlɔŋ/ in American English.
"Strung along" is a phrasal verb that refers to the act of deceiving or manipulating someone by leading them to believe in false hopes or expectations, often regarding a romantic relationship or future plans. It suggests that the person being strung along is being controlled or played with, without them being aware of the true intentions or lack of commitment from the other person involved.
When someone is strung along, they are made to believe that there is a genuine interest or intention to pursue a serious relationship or commitment, when, in reality, the person doing the stringing along has no such intentions. The term implies a sense of being strung along like a puppet on a string, where the person being deceived is left hanging and unsure about the true nature of the relationship.
The act of stringing someone along can have various motives, such as using them for personal gain, maintaining a backup option, or simply enjoying the attention and emotional power. It often involves a series of mixed messages, false promises, and inconsistent behavior that keeps the person being strung along in a state of confusion and longing.
Overall, being strung along is a manipulative tactic that can cause emotional distress and uncertainty for the person facing it, as they are left in a state of limbo, hoping for sincerity and commitment that may never materialize.
The phrase "strung along" is rooted in the noun form of "string". The word "string" comes from the Old English "streng", which has Germanic origins. Over time, the word evolved and came to represent a thin piece of cord or thread. The verb form, "string", began to be used in the late 16th century, meaning to thread or pass something through a string.
In the context of "strung along", the word "strung" is the past participle of the verb "string". When we say that someone is "strung along", it commonly means that they are being deceived or misled, kept on a string as a means of manipulation. This phrase is often associated with deceptive actions where someone is led on or given false hope.