beat around the bush

Cultural  

1. To avoid getting to the point of an issue: “Your worries have nothing to do with the new proposal. Stop beating around the bush, and cast your vote!”

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beat around the bush Idioms  

1. Also, beat about the bush. Approach indirectly, in a roundabout way, or too cautiously. For example, Stop beating around the bush—get to the point. This term, first recorded in 1572, originally may have alluded to beating the bushes for game.

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Example Sentences

They weren’t the kind to beat around the bush.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

Irritated by their lack of clarity, he told an agent that had told him of Newcastle's interest: "Tell them to call me directly and not beat around the bush."

From BBC • Nov. 1, 2025

“I’m not going to beat around the bush, man: We want to win the Super Bowl,” wide receiver Garrett Wilson said.

From Washington Times • Jul. 21, 2023

Czerny didn’t beat around the bush as he addressed a weeklong meeting in Rome of the global confederation of 162 national Caritas national chapters, the first since Francis’ intervention.

From Seattle Times • May 12, 2023

Attempts to beat around the bush made her turn prickly.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Related Words

• baffle
• confound
• dodge
• evade
• flee
• foil
• frustrate
• outrun
• outwit
• puzzle
• shun
• stall
• stonewall
• thwart