hem (redirected from hems)

hem someone or something in

Fig. to trap or enclose someone or something. The large city buildings hem me in. Don't hem in the bird. Let it have a way to escape.

hem and haw (around)

Inf. to be uncertain about something; to be evasive; to say "ah" and "eh" when speaking—avoiding saying something meaningful. Stop hemming and hawing around. I want an answer. Don't just hem and haw around. Speak up. We want to hear what you think.

See also: and, haw

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hum and haw  (mainly British) also hem and haw (American & Australian)

to take a long time to say something and speak in a way that is not clear, in order to avoid giving an answer He hemmed and hawed and finally admitted taking the money. (mainly British)

See also: and, haw, hum

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hem and haw

to pause a lot and avoid saying something directly When asked what kind of woman he was looking for, he hemmed and hawed and finally admitted he was looking for a party girl.

See also: and, haw

hem in somebody/something also hem somebody/something in

to surround someone or something They found themselves hemmed in by the crowd. The building was hemmed in by high walls.