beat around the bush
Formsbeats around the bush, beating around the bush, beaten around the bush
- 1To avoid talking about something hard or unpleasant by speaking about other things instead.
Like walking around a puddle instead of just crossing it.
Don't beat around the bush. Just tell me what happened.
She kept beating around the bush before sharing the bad news.
Similarwaffle, ramble, prevaricate, pussyfoot
- 2To talk about something but leave out the main point, often on purpose.
Like telling a long story but skipping the most important part.
The politician beat around the bush and never answered the real question.
Instead of explaining the rule clearly, the teacher just kept beating around the bush.
Similarhedge, equivocate, prevaricate, waffle
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Origin
It comes from the older phrase "beat about the bush," with the word "about" changed to "around."