bum steer

[buhm steer] / ˈbʌm ˌstɪər /

NOUN

incorrect information

Synonyms

WEAK

bad advice bad information bad tip poor advice poor guidance poor information poor tip

ADJECTIVE

ill-advised, mistaken

Synonyms

STRONG

bad deceptive erroneous false inaccurate misguided misleading mistaken wrong

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But sometimes you can’t, like when you ask a chatbot a factual question and get a bum steer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

Greenhorns Stan and Ollie go to Brushwood Gulch with a gold-mine deed and get a bum steer.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2020

It was a bum steer: we didn’t make a dent in it and nearly fainted when we got a bill for $58.

From New York Times • Apr. 7, 2012

Trying to catch out the Knowledge with a bum steer, eh Sean?

From The Guardian • Jul. 5, 2011

I got a hunch mebbe it's a bum steer, but you can't be sure till you try it.

From The Big-Town Round-Up by Raine, William MacLeod