bait and switch

Definitions

1. 1

   An unscrupulous and sometimes illegal sales technique, in which an inexpensive product is…

   An unscrupulous and sometimes illegal sales technique, in which an inexpensive product is advertised to attract prospective customers who are then told by sales personnel that the inexpensive product is unavailable or of poor quality and are instead urged to buy a more expensive product.

2. 2

   Any similar deceptive behavior, especially in politics and romantic relationships.

   • Jon: Hey, Garfield, let's get a pizza! […] Jon:On the way we'll stop at the vet. Garfield: It's the old bait and switch!
3. 3

   To lure someone with an offer of some kind, but substitute something of greater advantage…

   To lure someone with an offer of some kind, but substitute something of greater advantage to the offerer.

   • Not when you are baiting and switching down from a stately antebellum manse to a tenement crack house.
   • ... she baits and switches then baits again.
   • they often baited and switched: promised top people but sent the third string.

The neighborhood