lanterner

Senses

1. 1.

   to dilly-dally, to dawdle

   to waste time or delay without urgency

2. 2.

   to put off, to procrastinate

   to postpone or avoid a decision or task

3. 3.

   to string someone along, to keep someone waiting

   to delay giving an answer or making a commitment to someone

Examples

• "Arrête de lanterner, il faut décider maintenant !"

  Stop dawdling, we need to decide now!

• "Il a lanterné pendant des mois avant de répondre à sa demande."

  He procrastinated for months before answering his request.

• "Ne me lanternes pas, dis-moi oui ou non."

  Don't string me along, tell me yes or no.

Usage

Informal and slightly colloquial; often used in the imperative (lanterner quelqu'un = to keep someone in suspense). Can be reflexive (se lanterner) but is less common. Related to lanterne (lantern), though the etymology is disputed.