English Reference
Idiom idiom

bum steer


Bad advice or information, regardless of intention.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

He gave me a bum steer about the best way to get there.

CONTEXTUAL

I followed his directions to the store, but he gave me a bum steer and I ended up in the wrong neighborhood.

COMPLEX

The analyst realized too late that the leaked report was a bum steer, leading the entire firm to make a disastrous investment.


Related idioms4entries
  1. 01

    bum rap

    An undeservedly unfavorable portrayal or reputation.

  2. 02

    bum rush

    A storming into an establishment.

  3. 03

    bum's rush

    The forcible ejection of someone, such as a bum or a hobo, from an establishment.

  4. 04

    corporate welfare bum

    A business corporation or business executive receiving significant financial assistance from government sources.

Last updated August 10, 2026