pulling a tuan

(idiom - used as an intransitive verb) 1 (a): to agree enthusiastically to convene at a particular time and place, despite secretly harboring some inexplicable apprehension, then fail to appear at all and to provide any explanation whatsoever (b): to agree enthusiastically to convene at a particular time and place, despite secretly harboring some inexplicable apprehension, then, long after the agreed-upon time has passed, notify the waiting party(s) of one's inability to attend - esp. when such notification could have been made much earlier (c): to agree enthusiastically to convene at a particular time and place, despite secretly harboring some inexplicable apprehension, then, long after the agreed-upon time has passed, notify the waiting party(s) of one's imminent arrival, then, after a long duration thenceforth, either fail to arrive at all or again notify the waiting party(s) of one's imminent arrival: generally, in the latter case, the act is repeated until either one finally notifies the waiting party(s) of his/her inability to arrive or until the waiting party(s) become exasperated 2: to devise detailed plans for a meeting of people - esp. a social gathering, vigorously stress the importance of the meeting or otherwise stimulate interest in the meeting, then shortly before its scheduled time, abruptly cancel the meeting without providing a compelling reason.