Question

in_the_loop_030 to speak or write evasively; to talk around an issue Antonym: get to the pointSynonyms: stonewall; hem and haw Conversation

Accepted Answer

BEAT ABOUT/AROUND THE BUSH Judy couldn’t come right out and tell her fiancé that she no longer wanted to marry him. She had to beat around the bush until he understood.If you disagree with my opinion, just tell me. Don’t beat around the bush. The phrase originates from a hunting practice dating to the 15th century, in which hunters hired ‘beaters’ to drive small animals out of bushes where the hunters could more easily get to them. The beaters would lightly beat around the edges of the bushes to lure the animals out without completely frightening them away.

Id	in_the_loop_030
Idiom	BEAT ABOUT/AROUND THE BUSH
Definition	to speak or write evasively; to talk around an issue
Examples	Judy couldn’t come right out and tell her fiancé that she no longer wanted to marry him. She had to beat around the bush until he understood. If you disagree with my opinion, just tell me. Don’t beat around the bush.
Cross-Refs	Antonym: get to the point Synonyms: stonewall; hem and haw
Extra Info	The phrase originates from a hunting practice dating to the 15th century, in which hunters hired ‘beaters’ to drive small animals out of bushes where the hunters could more easily get to them. The beaters would lightly beat around the edges of the bushes to lure the animals out without completely frightening them away.
Category	Conversation

Beat Bush Hunters Animals Loop About/Around Speak Write