hum (redirected from hummed and haw)

ho-hum (American, informal)

disappointing or not very interesting. It was a ho-hum speech, no big deal really. He still thinks soccer is kind of ho-hum and not worth watching.

hum and haw (mainly British, 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.

See also: haw

humming and hawing (mainly British, American & Australian)

hum and haw - to take a long time to say something and speak in a way that is not clear, in order to avoid giving an answer. After much hemming and hawing and throat-clearing, she announced that she was leaving.

See also: haw