Bait and Switch
What it means
Advertise something appealing, then substitute the worse thing you meant to sell.
Where it comes from
It names a specific illegal sales tactic rather than general dishonesty. American consumer regulators publish guidance on exactly where enthusiastic advertising ends and bait and switch begins.
The puzzle it came from
Bait and Switch was the answer to the Phrasicle of December 2, 2025. The clue read ____ and ____, and the words came out of a grid where every neighbouring pair makes a two-word phrase.
Play today's Phrasicle Play the December 2, 2025 puzzle
Show the solved grid (this spoils the December 2, 2025 puzzle)
shot
glass
door
bell
tower
flash
light
switch
off
duty
sky
high
jump
rope
ladder
no
go
live
bait
shop
Phrasicle: Bait and Switch