beat around the bush
/ˌbiːt əˌraʊnd ðə ˈbʊʃ/INFORMAL · C1
Meaning
to avoid saying something directly
Examples
- 1If you want to borrow money again, you can say so instead of beating around the bush.
- 2Tom beat around the bush for ten minutes before admitting he had scratched my car.
- 3Please don't beat around the bush – just tell me honestly whether you liked my essay.
- 4Jack spent ages chatting about the weather; he always beats around the bush when he has bad news.
- 5When I asked about a pay rise, my boss beat around the bush instead of giving a straight answer.
Grammar
Only beat changes: beats, beating, beat, beaten. British speakers also say beat about the bush.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about communication
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →read between the linesto understand what someone means but does not saykeep someone in the loopto make sure someone knows what is happeninghit the nail on the headto describe exactly what is causing a problemget the wrong end of the stickto misunderstand what someone meansword of mouthnews passed on by people telling each otherto cut a long story shortused to give only the main point of what happened
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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