Beat around the bush
/biːt əˈraʊnd ðə bʊʃ/informal, neutralUK · US
What does “Beat around the bush” mean?
Beat around the bush means to avoid saying something directly.
British English often prefers "beat about the bush"; American English uses "around". The meaning is identical.
The phrase criticises evasiveness, so it carries mild impatience.
When do people say it?
Often used as a request: stop delaying and say the thing.
“Stop beating around the bush and tell me whether I got the job.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal, neutral. It is most at home in both everyday conversation and professional writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
Very old, from hunting, where beaters worked the bushes rather than approaching the game directly.
Origin confidence: Well documented
How do you say “Beat around the bush” in other languages?
Related idioms
- The elephant in the room, An obvious issue nobody mentions.
- Sit on the fence, To stay deliberately neutral.
Last reviewed 2026-09-11