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

"I'm not going to beat around the bush... I was not prepared," she told fans during a Q&A, adding: "She's completely and utterly worth it all though. Every single hard moment!"

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

“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

I am not going to beat around the bush and say no because it represents so much to so many of us.”

From Seattle Times • Apr. 18, 2023

When Lee felt that enough time had passed he did not beat around the bush.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

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