lead someone on

(phrasal verb) to trick someone, to mislead someone, to lie to someone

Example Sentences:

The beautiful girl led me on at the nightclub. She pretended she was interested in me, but when I asked her for a phone number, she told me to go away!

A: How was your date?
B: It was great, but he didn’t call me back yet!
A: When was it?
B: Three weeks ago.
A: I think he’s leading you on. Forget about him!
B: Oh.

When we were planning a vacation, the advertisements led us on about how great the hotel was. When we arrived, it was horrible!

Similar idioms:

1. check in with
2. forgive and forget
3. check out
4. touch base
5. water under the bridge