beat around the bush
Formsbeats around the bush, beating around the bush, beaten around the bush
- 1To delay or avoid speaking directly about a difficult or uncomfortable subject.
Like circling a building again and again without ever walking through the front door.
Doctors sometimes beat around the bush when they have to deliver a grim diagnosis.
He beat around the bush for ten minutes before finally mentioning the layoffs.
Similarwaffle, ramble, prevaricate, pussyfoot
- 2To address a subject while deliberately leaving out its central or most important points.
Like a tour guide who points out every minor detail but never shows you the main attraction.
His report beat around the bush, touching on side issues while skipping the key findings.
Rather than state his real objection, the lawyer beat around the bush for an hour.
Similarhedge, equivocate, prevaricate, waffle
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Origin
This phrase developed from the older form "beat about the bush," simply replacing the preposition "about" with "around."