Question

in_the_loop_344 to hesitate to say something directly Compare to: beat around the bush; stonewall

Accepted Answer

HEM AND HAW Andrew wanted to ask Gail to marry him but he couldn’t find the words. He stood there, hat in hand, hemming and hawing.You don’t have to be afraid to tell me what happened. Stop hemming and hawing and get to the point. The expression probably originates from the sounds one might make when clearing one’s throat and trying to introduce a delicate subject.

Id	in_the_loop_344
Idiom	HEM AND HAW
Definition	to hesitate to say something directly
Examples	Andrew wanted to ask Gail to marry him but he couldn’t find the words. He stood there, hat in hand, hemming and hawing. You don’t have to be afraid to tell me what happened. Stop hemming and hawing and get to the point.
Cross-Refs	Compare to: beat around the bush; stonewall
Extra Info	The expression probably originates from the sounds one might make when clearing one’s throat and trying to introduce a delicate subject.

Hemming Hawing Loop Hem Haw Hesitate Directly Andrew