be beating the bushes (for someone or something)

To be searching for someone or something exhaustively and at great length. I've been beating the bushes for a bigger apartment, but there's nothing out there I can afford! Come on, man, you've got to get out of here. The police are beating the bushes for you, and you're putting us all in danger by staying here! Well, good luck if you're beating the bushes for a used car at that low price point!

be beating the bushes

AMERICAN

If someone is beating the bushes, they are trying very hard to get or achieve something. Maybe Democratic leaders should be beating the bushes to register voters to support their nominee. He was tired of beating the bushes for work, and he did not want to ask for help or accept charity.