beat around the bush
UK /ˈbiːt əˌɹaʊ̯nd ðə bʊʃ/ · US /ˈbit əˌɹaʊ̯nd ðə bʊʃ/ verb
Forms beats around the bush beating around the bush beated around the bush beaten around the bush beat about the bush
- verb (idiomatic) To treat a topic, but omit its main points, often intentionally.
- verb (idiomatic) To delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant. “Just stop beating around the bush and tell me what the problem is!”
Synonyms
go around the houses prevaricate pussyfoot ramble tergiversate waffle equivocate palter
Antonyms
Etymology
From the older form beat about the bush, replacing the preposition.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 — from the Wiktionary entry “beat around the bush”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details