Mine used to do that.
It was 'just popping for a pint'.
That to me is 1 pint. he often would also follow it up with 'i'll be an hour'.
Never was it one pint and never was it an hour.
I was the same as you. just bloody well say if you actually mean a few pints and i'll probably be a couple of hours. Or even, 'not sure how long I'll be, i'll let you know'.
Its not that fucking hard. Used to drive me crazy. Just say what you actually intend to do ffs.
Basically had that out with him and explained, just say what you mean. Its pathetic pretending you'll only be an hour knowing full well you won't. It makes zero difference to me how many pints you have, its the upfront lying that I have a problem with.
It has stopped, I have to say. he will now say hes going for a couple and always now messages to let me know when he thinks he'll be back. And I have to say when hes said he'll be an hour, he will now be an hour.
But yeah, for a while it was like pulling teeth.