bum steer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to medium (primarily in American English; idiomatic and informal)Informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “bum steer” mean?
False, misleading, or worthless information.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
False, misleading, or worthless information; bad advice or a useless tip.
Can refer to any action or direction that leads someone astray, often deliberately. Metaphorically extends from a cowboy giving bad directions about cattle to general life situations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Far more common and established in American English. In British English, it is understood but rarely used spontaneously; alternatives like 'duff gen' (military slang) or simply 'bad advice' are more frequent.
Connotations
In American English, has a folksy, slightly old-fashioned connotation, sometimes associated with Western/cowboy imagery. In British English, if used, it sounds like an Americanism.
Frequency
Common in American informal speech and writing (e.g., journalism, fiction). Rare in UK English outside of contexts influenced by American media.
Grammar
How to Use “bum steer” in a Sentence
[Someone] gives [someone] a bum steer (about/on [something])[Someone] gets a bum steer (from [someone])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bum steer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – not used as a verb.
American English
- N/A – not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A – not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A – not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- N/A – not used as an adjective.
American English
- N/A – not used as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The market analysis turned out to be a bum steer, and the investment failed."
Academic
Rare. Possible in informal critique: "The cited source provided a bum steer on the historical timeline."
Everyday
"My friend gave me a bum steer about that new restaurant – the food was terrible!"
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bum steer”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bum steer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bum steer”
- Using 'bum steer' as a verb (e.g., 'He bum steered me'). Incorrect. Use 'give a bum steer'. Confusing 'steer' (n.) with the verb 'to steer'. Using it in overly formal contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not typically. 'Bum' here means 'bad', not a homeless person. It's informal but not vulgar.
It's too informal for most professional writing. Use 'misleading information' or 'incorrect guidance' instead.
Early 1900s American slang, from cattle ranching. A 'steer' is a castrated male cow. A 'bum steer' was bad guidance on where to find or herd cattle.
Always two words: 'bum steer'. It is a noun phrase.
False, misleading, or worthless information.
Bum steer is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Bum steer: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbʌm ˈstɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbəm ˈstɪr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't let him give you a bum steer.”
- “I think we've been following a bum steer.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a cowboy ('bum' meaning bad) pointing you in the wrong direction to 'steer' cattle. A BUM giving directions to STEER you wrong.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMATION IS A PATH/GUIDANCE; BAD INFORMATION IS FAULTY DIRECTIONS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'bum steer' be LEAST appropriate?