Phrase Finder

Beat around the bush

Beat around the bush

Meaning

Avoiding the main topic.

Examples

If you want Jill to go out with her, don’t beat around the bush – ask her.

Where did it originate?

Britain, 1400s. One of the oldest non-Biblical phrases in the language.

Where is it used?

Worldwide.

Hear the idiom spoken

More idioms about

How the idiom originated

Browse more Idioms

About the Author

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Beat around the bush

Idioms

A-Z

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T UV W XYZ

Categories

AdageAgreementAmericaAnimalsAphorismAustralian originBiblicalBlueBodyBrass tacksBuildingBusinessChildhoodChildrenClicheClockClothesCockney rhyming slangColourComedyConflictCountryCrimeDanceDateDeathDisgustDrinkEducationEffortEmotionEuphemismExcellenceExcessFailureFamilyFirst worldFoodFrenchFruitGreek originHabitHairHappinessHonestyHousehold itemsHyperboleLanguageLatinLegalLocationLuckMadnessMedicalMilitaryMisfortuneMoneyMusicNameNatureNauticalNonsenseNumberPatiencePlaceProverbProverbialReduplicationRelaxationReligionRiskScienceSecretsSexShakespeareSlangSportStupiditySuccessSurpriseTechnologyThe human bodyTheatreTimeToolTravelTrickeryVehicleWaterWeatherWork

Suggest a new idiom