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beat about the bush

verb
/ˈbiːt əˌbaʊ̯t ðə bʊʃ/UK/ˈbit əˌbaʊ̯t ðə bʊʃ/CA/ˈbiːt əˌbæɔ̯t ðə bʊʃ/

Etymology

From medieval English hunting practices. Some men would whack bushes with sticks to scare birds out so that others could hunt them. Beating the bush directly could be dangerous.

  1. derived from hunting practices

Definitions

  1. Alternative form of beat around the bush.

    • There is no use beating about the bush with a man like you. I know that. You are direct, and so am I. You know my position well enough to be assured that I am empowered to treat with you.
    • "Meanwhile, we are sitting here starving. Let's not beat about the bush - we are absolutely living hand to mouth now on TfL.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

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sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA