beat the bushes

beat the bushes (for someone or something)

To search 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!

See also: beat, bush, someone

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

beat the bushes

search thoroughly. North American informal

This expression originates from the way in which hunters walk through undergrowth wielding long sticks which are used to force birds or animals out into the open where they can be shot or netted.

See also: beat, bush

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

beat the ˈbushes

(especially American English) try very hard to find, obtain or achieve something: Telephone companies are beating the bushes for new customers.

See also: beat, bush

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

beat the bushes

To make an exhaustive search.

See also: beat, bush

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.