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beat the bushes

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus 0.04 sec.
beat the bushes (American)
to try very hard to get or achieve something. She's not out there beating the bushes for a job - she's just as happy not working.
See also: beat, bush
beat the bushes
to search everywhere for someone or something. We don't have to beat the bushes to get good photographs — they mostly come to us from photographers we know.
Etymology: based on the practice in hunting of having someone hit bushes with a stick in order to force birds hiding in them to fly up into the air to be shot
See also: beat, bush
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To which neither Blifil nor Jones gave any answer; but Thwackum said surlily, "I believe the cause is not far off; if you beat the bushes well you may find her.
The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Fielding, Henry View in context
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