bush (redirected from spindle)

beat about/around the bush

to avoid talking about a difficult or embarrassing subject because you are worried about upsetting the person you are talking to. Don't beat around the bush. Just tell me where my brother is. (usually negative) There is no point in beating about the bush. I'm leaving you.

See also: about, around, beat

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

A bird in the hand (is worth two in the bush).

something that you say which means it is better to keep what you have than to risk losing it by trying to get something better. If I were you I'd accept the money they're offering. After all, a bird in the hand...

See also: bird, hand

bush league (American, informal)

not done to the usual or accepted standards. His article was a bush league stunt to discredit the company, and he has apologized.

See also: league

the bush telegraph (British & Australian)

the way in which people quickly pass important information to other people, especially by talking. News of the redundancies spread immediately on the bush telegraph.

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beat around the bush

to avoid talking about what is important. Quit beating around the bush and tell me what you really think about my idea.

See also: around, beat

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

a bird in the hand

what you have or know is better than something you do not have or know. Investors are focused on the bird in the hand, and not looking for new opportunities very much these days.

Usage notes: based on the full form, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, which is rarely used

Etymology: based on the idea that a person should catch one bird that is easy to catch rather than hoping to find more somewhere else

See also: bird, hand