Bait-and-switch

Meaning

Offering an attractive deal before substituting something inferior

Usage

Used in consumer protection to describe deceptive tactics

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Retail practice of luring customers with false offers

Documented in early 20th-century business complaints