jerk around
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To cheat or treat unfairly.
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Near-synonyms: mislead, misdirect, mistreat; (vulgar) dick around
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To act foolishly.
Register: informal
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “jerk around” mean?
To cheat or treat unfairly.
Is “jerk around” formal or informal?
jerk around is generally informal.