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Region: UK | Usage example: Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you want.

Beat around the bush

Meaning

Avoid stating something directly.

Usage

Common in critiques of evasive speech.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Medieval hunting term describing beating around bushes to flush out game.

Frequently seen in 16th-century huntsman manuals and evolving into speech advice.

Related Idioms

Beat around the issue

Avoid addressing the main topic directly.

What goes around comes around

Your actions eventually come back to you.

Beat a dead horse

Waste effort on something already decided.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.