beat about the bush
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Related to beat about the bush: beat around the bush
beat about the bush
To speak vaguely or euphemistically so as to avoid talking directly about an unpleasant or sensitive topic. Primarily heard in UK. Don't beat about the bush—just tell me the truth. Would you pleast stop beating about the bush? Are you leaving the company or not?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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 spadeFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017