How do you use "Beat around the bush" in a sentence?

Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened. He beat around the bush for ten minutes before asking for money. I'll not beat around the bush—you're fired.

Beat around the bush

Q: What does "Beat around the bush" mean?

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.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: To avoid getting to the point, to speak indirectly

拐弯抹角，不直说

Andarse con rodeos, no ir al grano

遠回しに言う、要点を避ける

돌려 말하다, 핵심을 피하다

To talk about things without addressing the main issue, often to avoid something uncomfortable. Implies wasting time with indirect approaches instead of being direct.

谈论事情时回避核心问题，通常是为了避免不舒服的话题。暗示用间接的方式浪费时间，而不是直截了当。

Hablar de cosas sin abordar el tema principal, a menudo para evitar algo incómodo. Implica perder el tiempo con enfoques indirectos en lugar de ser directo.

核心に触れずに周辺的な話をすること。不快なことを避けるためであることが多い。直接言わずに間接的なアプローチで時間を無駄にすることを暗示する。

핵심 문제를 다루지 않고 주변 이야기만 하는 것으로, 불편한 것을 피하려 할 때 자주 사용된다. 직접적으로 말하지 않고 간접적인 접근으로 시간을 낭비한다는 뉘앙스를 담고 있다.

Examples

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.

Pronunciation

/biːt əˈraʊnd ðə bʊʃ/

Usage Guide

Context: directness, communication, avoidance

Tone: impatient, demanding

✓ Do Say

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

✗ Don't Say

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

Common Mistakes

Saying 'beat about' (British) vs 'beat around' (American)—both correct

Origin & History

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.

Etymology: From hunting practice of flushing game from bushes

First recorded: 16th century

Cultural Context

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.'

Variations

Beat around the bushBeat about the bushBeating around the bush