as in switcheroo
US
a selling method in which a customer is attracted by the advertisement of a low-priced product but then is encouraged to buy a more expensive one
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Recent Examples of bait and switch
Read: The bait and switch of Trump’s tariffs Perhaps that reality is why some of the major industry unions reacted to Trump’s post with muted support.
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David Sims, The Atlantic, 17 May 2025
Kenan Thompson, Marcello Hernández, and Bowen Yang lead a sweet song until — wait — thankful bait and switch!
—EW.com, 11 May 2025
Is this yet another case of bait and switch, offering the promise of region-wide events but only delivering content in San Francisco?
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
To say this feels like a bait and switch is an understatement, and such outcomes dramatically undermine any trust built earlier.
—Kelly Hopping, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait and switch
David Sims, The Atlantic, 17 May 2025
Kenan Thompson, Marcello Hernández, and Bowen Yang lead a sweet song until — wait — thankful bait and switch!
—EW.com, 11 May 2025
Is this yet another case of bait and switch, offering the promise of region-wide events but only delivering content in San Francisco?
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
To say this feels like a bait and switch is an understatement, and such outcomes dramatically undermine any trust built earlier.
—Kelly Hopping, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait and switch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bait and switch
Noun
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Busy Philipps and Michelle Williams Relive 2017 As far as recent Oscars scandals go, the Moonlight/La La Land switcheroo was way less taxing (and had a shorter shelf life, discourse-wise) than the Slap.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
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But a three-dimensional person has no place in a show that could have the mid-gala switcheroo take place moments earlier.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
22 May 2025
Noun
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To some newer residents, the vacant lot may be better recognized as the turnaround point for Boise’s Turkey Day 5K race on Thanksgiving.—
Nick Rosenberger,
Idaho Statesman,
26 June 2025
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Measure Continuously: Track before-and-after metrics: turnaround time, report accuracy, downstream cost of care and patient satisfaction.—
Yidi Xu,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
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What’s behind President Donald Trump’s flip-flop on raiding farms, hotels, and restaurants for immigrant workers?—
Irina Ivanova,
Fortune,
22 June 2025
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Made of vegan leather with plenty of traction and claiming no break-in period, these Reef flip-flops are a great option.—
Jennifer Vermeer,
Travel + Leisure,
22 June 2025
Noun
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That’s a turnabout for the governor, who had mentioned those communities last year and in other previous statements recognizing the shooting on June 12, 2016.—
Steven Lemongello,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2025
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The turnabout may have to do with the recent financial troubles at Tesla.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Dual citizenship policies vary among countries, with some countries mandating renunciation of existing citizenship.—
Jean Francois Harvey,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
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But Kim’s renunciation of reunification and deepening ties with Russia limit expectations for diplomacy.—
Ian Bremmer,
Time,
3 June 2025
Noun
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Britain is not the only country pressed into making a volte-face.—
London Business School,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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The realities of Putin’s momentum, coupled with Washington’s volte-face, have led to a clear mood shift in Kyiv.—
Daryna Mayer,
NBC News,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Subscriptions like Billie cover this for you without a second thought.—
Sabina Wizemann,
Good Housekeeping,
30 Nov. 2022
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In America, the allure of material comfort is accepted without a second thought.—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
20 Nov. 2022
Noun
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Newsom’s team has offered to withdraw the lawsuit if Fox issues a public retraction and on-air apology.—
Bethany Wales,
Sacbee.com,
27 June 2025
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The governor’s lawyers sent Fox News a letter demanding a retraction and an on-air apology from Watters; if the network complies, the governor would drop the suit, per the letter.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bait and switch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bait%20and%20switch. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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