beat about the bush
AI In plain words
Writing a short explanation…
Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.
beat about the bush
- /ˈbiːt əˌbaʊ̯t ðə bʊʃ/ UK
- /ˈbit əˌbaʊ̯t ðə bʊʃ/ Canada, US
- /ˈbiːt əˌbæɔ̯t ðə bʊʃ/ Australia
- /ˈbiːt əˌbæʊ̯t ðə bʊʃ/ New Zealand
- /ˈbit əˌbʌʊ̯t ðə bʉʃ/ Scotland
- /ˈbiːʈ aˌbawʈ ðe bʊʃ/ India
Where it comes from
From medieval English hunting practices. Some men would whack bushes with sticks to scare birds out so that others could hunt them. Beating the bush directly could be dangerous.
verb beats about the bush · beating about the bush · beat about the bush · beated about the bush · beaten about the bush
- Alternative form of beat around the bush.beat around the bush There is no use beating about the bush with a man like you. I know that. You are direct, and so am I. You know my position well enough to be assured that I am empowered to treat with you.
