How do you use "Breadcrumbing" in a sentence?

He's just breadcrumbing you. Stop breadcrumbing—either meet up or stop texting. Classic breadcrumbing behaviour.

Breadcrumbing

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: Sending occasional flirty messages without real intention (modern dating).

偶尔发暧昧信息但没有真正意图（现代约会用语）。

Enviar mensajes coquetos de vez en cuando sin intención real (lenguaje moderno de citas).

本気じゃないのにたまに気のあるメッセージを送る（現代の恋愛用語）。

진지한 의도 없이 가끔 관심 있는 척 메시지를 보내는 행위 (현대 연애 용어).

'Breadcrumbing' is sending occasional messages to keep someone interested without any intention of meeting or committing. Like leaving breadcrumbs—just enough to follow but leading nowhere.

'Breadcrumbing'是偶尔发信息保持对方的兴趣，但没有任何见面或认真交往的打算。就像撒面包屑一样——刚好够人跟着走，但实际上什么都不会发生。

'Breadcrumbing' es enviar mensajes esporádicos para mantener a alguien interesado sin ninguna intención de quedar o comprometerse. Como dejar migajas de pan: justo lo suficiente para seguir el rastro pero sin llegar a ningún sitio.

「Breadcrumbing」は会ったり付き合ったりするつもりがないのに、たまにメッセージを送って相手の興味を引き続けること。パンくずを残すように——ついていけるだけの量はあるが、どこにもたどり着かない。

'Breadcrumbing'은 만남이나 진지한 관계의 의사 없이 가끔씩 메시지를 보내 상대방의 관심을 유지하는 행위입니다. 빵 부스러기를 흘리듯—따라갈 만큼만 주지만 아무 데도 이르지 않습니다.

Examples

He's just breadcrumbing you.
他只是在吊着你而已
Solo te está dando migajas
彼はただあなたを思わせぶりに引っ張っているだけ
그 사람은 그냥 너한테 밥풀만 흘리고 있는 거야.
Stop breadcrumbing—either meet up or stop texting.
别吊人了——要么见面，要么别发信息了
Deja de dar migajas: o quedamos o deja de escribir
思わせぶりはやめて——会うか連絡をやめるかして
관심 있는 척 그만해—만나든지 연락을 끊든지 해.
Classic breadcrumbing behaviour.
典型的吊人行为
Comportamiento clásico de breadcrumbing
典型的な思わせぶり行為
전형적인 브레드크러밍 행동이야.

Pronunciation

/ˈbrɛdkrʌmbɪŋ/

Usage Guide

Context: dating apps, manipulation, texting

Tone: critical, frustrated

✓ Do Say

Breadcrumbing
吊人
dar migajas
思わせぶりにメッセージを送る
관심 있는 척 메시지 보내기
Breadcrumbs
暧昧信息
migajas
思わせぶりなメッセージ
관심 있는 척하는 메시지

✗ Don't Say

Manipulative behaviour
属于操控性行为
Comportamiento manipulador
操作的な行為
조종하는 행동

Common Mistakes

Sporadic contact without real interest

Origin & History

From Hansel and Gretel's breadcrumb trail—leaving just enough crumbs to follow. In dating, it means sporadic contact maintaining hope without substance.

Etymology: From breadcrumb trail (minimal but ongoing)

First recorded: 2010s, dating app era

Cultural Context

Era: 2010s onwards

Generation: Dating app users

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Dating advice columns

Regional notes: Universal modern dating.

Variations

BreadcrumbingBreadcrumbs