Street voices
Hugues
·
United States
"Beating around the bush The act of talking about less important things in an attempt to avoid talking about the more pressing matter at hand But yeah, so anyways afterwards I just I bought a hamburger yeah, uh-huh, okay you bought a hamburger that's great Stop beating around the bush and just tell me how the date went. Come on, man"
Ollie
·
Somerset
"To beat around the bush is when someone is avoiding the main topic and not speaking directly because they're uncomfortable or stalling. For example, Bro, stop beating around the bush. Just tell me what's going on."
Álvaro
·
United States
"Yo girl, stop beating around the bush, I know you like me, just say you like me, and stop beating around the bush, because these signals you're sending, they are crystal clear"
What it means
Means not getting to the point and dancing round the awkward bit instead. Someone pads it out, drops hints, stalls for time, and makes everyone sit there thinking just spit it out already. You say it when a person's dodging a straight answer, making excuses, or trying not to say the thing they really mean.
Usage examples
"I asked where my hoodie went and he started on about traffic and weather. I went, stop beating around the bush, did you nick it?"
"Stop beating around the bush and just tell me if I got the job."
"Mate, stop beating around the bush. Did you crash the car or not?"
"Quit beating around the bush and tell me why HR wants a meeting at 4."
Where it comes from
It comes from old hunting language. Beaters would strike the bushes to flush birds or game out into the open instead of going straight into the centre. That image slid into everyday speech, so if you're beating around the bush, you're circling the real point instead of saying it plain.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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