English Idioms

Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms

Beat around the bush

Meaning

The idiom "beat around the bush" refers to avoiding a direct or straightforward approach to a topic or situation. Instead, people use indirect speech or gestures to convey their message, often out of politeness, delicacy, or fear of confrontation. The phrase is derived from the literal act of beating a bush in order to scare away animals that may be hiding under it.

Usage

  • "I don't want to beat around the bush; I think John did something wrong and he should own up."
  • "When you give someone a compliment, they tend to beat around the bush and not actually say thank you."
  • "I understand why some people prefer to beat around the bush when discussing sensitive topics with their family members."
  • "I'm tired of beating around the bush - I want my boss to tell me what's really going on."
  • "Instead of beating around the bush, it might be better to just ask for what you want directly."

Roots and History

The idiom has its roots in the Middle English phrase "beren on the bushe," which means "to beat up" or "to strike." This was used as a way to scare away animals that might be hiding under a bush. Over time, the expression evolved to mean avoiding a direct or straightforward approach to a topic or situation, which is the current figurative meaning of the idiom.

Synonyms in English

  • Beat around the bush
  • Dance around the topic
  • Tiptoe around the subject
  • Circumvent the issue
  • Evade the conversation

Synonyms in other languages

  • English - German - "Durchgehen": This means to go through or proceed with something directly, without beating around the bush.
  • English - Spanish - "Beber al vino": This means to drink the wine directly, instead of trying to filter it through a sugar cube.
  • English - French - "Se taire": This means to remain silent and not beat around the bush with the conversation.
  • English - Italian - "Tirare i freni": This means to slam on the brakes, metaphorically speaking, and address the issue directly instead of avoiding it.
  • English - Japanese - "Nihongo ga aru dake?": This means "Do you speak Japanese?" in plain language, instead of beating around the bush about whether or not you understand the conversation.

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