lead on
• mislead or deceive someone, especially into believing that one is in love with or attracted to them.
• "she flirted with him and led him on"
Similar:
deceive,
mislead,
delude,
hoodwink,
dupe,
trick,
take in,
fool,
gull,
ensnare,
entrap,
entice,
allure,
lure,
beguile,
inveigle,
tempt,
tantalize,
tease,
flirt with,
seduce,
string along,
lead up the garden path,
take for a ride,
put one over on,
