Gandalfing

Verb When a party commits to an occasion or arrangement, verbally or non-verbally, and fails to deliver on their initial commitment (usually pulling out of the commitment at the most inconvenient time). The phrase emanates from Gandalf's consistently flaky actions in the Lord of the Rings series and in the Hobbit series. In the Fellowship of the Ring, Gandalf leaves Frodo and Sam after their first meeting at Bag End, parting with a promise to rendezvous with them at Bree. Of course, Gandalf does not hold up his end of the bargain. Gandalf once again abandons the fellowship of the ring, this time more extravagantly, as he selfishly decides to pass into the afterlife after battling the Balrog in the Mines of Moria. In the Two Towers, Gandalf abandons Aragon, Legolas, and others at Helm's Deep just before the battle begins. In the Return of the King, Gandalf leaves middle earth as the sails for the Grey Havens, an Elvish paradise. In the Hobbit, an Unexpected Journey, Gandalf leaves the company just before they are attacked by trolls. In the Hobbit, the Desolation of Smaug, Gandalf bails on the company just before they enter Mirkwood. Subsequently, the company is captured by spiders and then elves.