beat around 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 around the bush
- /ˈbiːt əˌɹaʊ̯nd ðə bʊʃ/ UK
- /ˈbit əˌɹaʊ̯nd ðə bʊʃ/ Canada, US
- /ˈbiːt əˌɹæɔ̯nd ðə bʊʃ/ Australia
- /ˈbiːt əˌɹæʊ̯nd ðə bʊʃ/ New Zealand
- /ˈbit əˌɹʌʊ̯nd ðə bʉʃ/ Scotland
- /ˈbiːʈ aˌɾawnɖ ðe bʊʃ/ India
Where it comes from
From the older form beat about the bush, replacing the preposition.
verb beats around the bush · beating around the bush · beat around the bush · beated around the bush · beaten around the bush
- To treat a topic, but omit its main points, often intentionally.
- To delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant. Just stop beating around the bush and tell me what the problem is!
