Meaning
To avoid talking directly about the real subject, delaying or dancing around an important, uncomfortable, or sensitive point instead of addressing it head-on.
It is used to describe or criticize someone’s indirect, evasive way of speaking when a straightforward answer or statement is clearly expected.
Origin
The phrase comes from an old hunting practice in which beaters were hired to strike the bushes with sticks in order to startle birds or other game out of hiding, without themselves directly approaching or attacking the animal. The literal act of striking around the bush, rather than going straight for the target, became a natural metaphor for approaching a subject indirectly instead of confronting it directly.
Examples
Stop beating around the bush and just tell me if I got the job or not.
He spent ten minutes beating around the bush before finally admitting he had crashed the car.
She never beats around the bush, she always says exactly what she thinks.
A: Is there something wrong with the report?
B: Well, I do not want to beat around the bush, so yes, several numbers are incorrect.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Beat around the bush' mean?
To avoid talking directly about the real subject, delaying or dancing around an important, uncomfortable, or sensitive point instead of addressing it head-on.
It is used to describe or criticize someone’s indirect, evasive way of speaking when a straightforward answer or statement is clearly expected.