to beat around the bush

Examples

• All

• There's no point in beating around the bush.

  Fiction book (1999)

• Why don't you come out with it instead of beating around the bush?

  Fiction book (1992)

• You beat around the bush

  8 Mile (2002)

• I decided not to beat around the bush.

  Fiction book (2000)

• Why are you beating around the bush?

  Fiction book (1999)

• Look, I'm not gonna beat around the bush.

  Gotti (2018)

• Well, I'm not going to beat around the bush.

  Anna Karenina (1935)

• Listen, I don't want to beat around the bush.

  Shame (2011)

• Look, there's no point in beating around the bush.

  Ondine (2010)

• If you want to resolve this issue, please stop beating around the bush and tell me what you think.

Synonyms

S

to sidestep

vsto beat around the bush

15 4.9

To avoid answering a question or dealing with a problem directly

stays indirect about the main topic instead of answering or addressing it

E

to equivocate

vsto beat around the bush

7 9.9

To use unclear words to avoid giving a direct answer or telling the truth

avoids the main topic more than it aims to hide truth with ambiguity

P

to prevaricate

vsto beat around the bush

• Formal

3 9.1

To avoid giving a direct answer to hide the truth

keeps to indirectness about the topic rather than primarily hiding facts

S

to skate around

vsto beat around the bush

1 7.0

Avoid facing a difficult subject directly

stops short of saying the main point rather than confronting it directly

S

to skirt around the issue

vsto beat around the bush

1 6.8

To avoid talking about a difficult subject by giving vague answers

avoids the topic in conversation rather than confronting it head on

F

to fudge the issue

vsto beat around the bush

• Informal

8.4

To avoid answering a question directly by being unclear

avoids the main topic directly rather than just being vaguely evasive

G

to go around the houses

vsto beat around the bush

• UK

9.1

To avoid saying something directly by talking a long time before answering

keeps to indirectness about the main point rather than a simple answer

S

to speak in circles

vsto beat around the bush

• Informal

7.5

Talk without saying a clear answer, often repeating or being vague

avoids the main subject directly rather than repeating vague, circular phrases

P

to palter

vsto beat around the bush

9.9

To speak or act to hide the truth and avoid a clear answer

avoids the topic without necessarily aiming to mislead by ambiguity

T

to tergiversate

vsto beat around the bush

• Formal

9.9

To avoid a direct answer by being unclear on purpose

avoids the main topic by dodging it rather than only using legalistic ambiguity

Antonyms

G

to get to the point

• Informal

126 3.1

Talk about the most important part without extra details

S

straightforwardly

5 3.9

In a clear, honest way without hiding anything

How Direct

to get to the point

• Informal

126 3.1

to beat around the bush

• Informal

17 5.6

to hint

136 2.0

to equivocate

7 9.9

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology