beat around the bush

== English == === Alternative forms === beat about the bush === Etymology === From the older form beat about the bush, replacing the preposition. === Pronunciation === enPR: bēt′ ə-round′ thə bo͝osh (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈbiːt əˌɹaʊ̯nd ðə bʊʃ/ (General American, Canada) IPA(key): /ˈbit əˌɹaʊ̯nd ðə bʊʃ/ (General Australian) IPA(key): /ˈbiːt əˌɹæɔ̯nd ðə bʊʃ/ (New Zealand) IPA(key): /ˈbiːt əˌɹæʊ̯nd ðə bʊʃ/ (Scotland) IPA(key): /ˈbit əˌɹʌʊ̯nd ðə bʉʃ/ (India) IPA(key): /ˈbiːʈ aˌɾawnɖ ðe bʊʃ/ Hyphenation: beat a‧round the bush === Verb === beat around the bush (third-person singular simple present beats around the bush, present participle beating around the bush, simple past beat around the bush or (nonstandard) beated around the bush, past participle beaten around the bush or (colloquial) beat around the bush or (nonstandard) beated around the bush) (idiomatic) To treat a topic, but omit its main points, often intentionally. (idiomatic) To delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant. Synonyms: go around the houses, prevaricate, pussyfoot, ramble, tergiversate, waffle Antonyms: cut to the chase, get on with it, get to the point ==== Coordinate terms ==== circumlocute hem and haw ==== Related terms ==== beat the bushes ==== Translations ==== === See also === long-winded === Further reading === “beat around the bush”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.