Beat around the bush
意味: To avoid getting to the point, to speak indirectly
To talk about things without addressing the main issue, often to avoid something uncomfortable. Implies wasting time with indirect approaches instead of being direct.
例文
- Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened. 别拐弯抹角了，告诉我发生了什么Deja de andarte con rodeos y dime qué pasó遠回しに言うのはやめて、何があったか教えて돌려 말하지 말고 무슨 일이 있었는지 말해.
- He beat around the bush for ten minutes before asking for money. 他拐弯抹角了十分钟才开口借钱Se anduvo con rodeos diez minutos antes de pedir dinero彼は10分間遠回しに話してからお金を頼んだ그는 10분 동안 빙빙 돌리다가 돈을 빌려달라고 했다.
- I'll not beat around the bush—you're fired. 我不拐弯抹角了——你被解雇了No me voy a andar con rodeos: estás despedido遠回しには言わない——君はクビだ돌려 말하지 않겠다—당신은 해고야.
発音
/biːt əˈraʊnd ðə bʊʃ/
使い方ガイド
場面: directness, communication, avoidance
トーン: impatient, demanding
✓ 正しい言い方
- Stop beating around the bush别拐弯抹角了Deja de andarte con rodeos遠回しに言うのはやめて돌려 말하지 마
- Don't beat around the bush别绕圈子No te andes con rodeos回りくどく言わないで빙빙 돌리지 마
✗ 間違った言い方
- Often used as a criticism常用作批评Se usa a menudo como crítica批判として使われることが多い비판의 의미로 자주 사용됨
よくある間違い
- Saying 'beat about' (British) vs 'beat around' (American)—both correct
起源と歴史
From medieval hunting practices where beaters would hit bushes to flush out game birds while hunters waited to catch them. Beating around (not directly at) the bush was preparatory rather than conclusive.
語源: From hunting practice of flushing game from bushes
初出: 16th century
文化的背景
Era: 16th century onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: Very common expression
Regional notes: British say 'beat about the bush,' Americans say 'beat around.'
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関連フレーズ
このトピックの他の表現
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