beat about the bush


Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
Related to beat about the bush: beat around the bush

beat about/around the bush

To speak vaguely or euphemistically so as to avoid talking directly about an unpleasant or sensitive topic. Don't beat around the bush—just tell me the truth. Why are you beating around the bush? Are you leaving our company?
See also: around, beat, bush

beat about the bush

discuss a matter without coming to the point; be ineffectual and waste time.
This phrase is a metaphor which originated in the shooting or netting of birds; compare with beat the bushes below.
1992 Barry Unsworth Sacred Hunger I don't want to beat about the bush. Mr Adams is threatening to leave us.
See also: beat, bush

ˌbeat about the ˈbush

(British English) (American English ˌbeat around the ˈbush) take too long before saying what you want to say; avoid saying something directly: Don’t beat about the bush. Tell me exactly what you think is wrong with my work. OPPOSITE: call a spade a spade
See also: beat, bush
References in periodicals archive ?
A police spokesman said: "We didn't beat about the bush and he was soon arrested on suspicion of fail to stop, dangerous driving, no licence, no insurance and drugdriving.
Suspect found hiding under hedge after police pursuit
He said we wouldn't beat about the bush and that the main objective was to surpass Celtic and be champions.
GERS WIND IN THEIR SAILS
TWO million pounds - let's not beat about the bush, we are not talking pennies here, we are talking about a lot of money.
Mystery of the 'missing' PS2m
Murray said: "Let's not beat about the bush, it's the biggest sendingoffyou'llseethisweek in Britain - it's that bad.
Ref missed blatant red says Murray
But let's not beat about the bush - Mercedes were the quickest car, even though they ran into their issues.
Red Bull have long way to go - Horner
Just as well Ireland is facing this with its eyes open, one might add, because European Parliament President Martin Schulz - visiting Dublin on 28 February with Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso - did not beat about the bush.
MFF: PARLIAMENT UPS PRESSURE
I won't beat about the bush - my season at Chelsea went very badly.
Last season was a write-off, says striker Lukaku
Dear Editor, Let's not beat about the bush, this Government is neither intellectually gifted nor tough enough to make a difference where it matters - in the safety its citizens.
Letter: A quick word; VIOLENCE
Idioms browser ?
Full browser ?