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Reference : Phrasal Verbs : J : jerk around

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jerk around American English Informal

Meaning: If someone jerks you around, they treat you badly or they deceive you in some way.

Synonym: mess around, mistreat

For example:

  • jerk sb/sth around I wish the insurance company would stop jerking us around and just pay us the money they owe us.

  • be jerked around by sb/sth If you think you're being jerked around by a company you've bought something from, you should see the people at the consumer protection agency.

Variety: This is typically used in American English but may be used in other varieties of English too.

Quick Quiz:

If you're being jerked around by somebody, you'll probably feel
  1. really good
  2. quite angry
  3. very sore

Grammar explanation: separable and non-separable phrasal verbs

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