play (a game of) cat and mouse with somebody | play a cat-and-mouse game with somebody

idiomPart ofgame

play (a game of) cat and mouse with somebody | play a cat-and-mouse game with somebody — idiom

1. To tease or confuse someone by changing behavior, making them nervous.

1.idiom
Definition

To tease or confuse someone by changing behavior, making them nervous.

Example

The detective played cat and mouse with the suspect for hours.

The cat played a cat-and-mouse game with the mouse before catching it.