Beat around the bush

Although the meanings of the words in them do not make any sense when examined one by one, the word groups that are shaped according to the cultural roots of the language and that make sense as a whole are called idioms. Beat around the bush meaning, in what situations is it used?

Meaning of "Beat around the bush"

Meaning

‘Beat around the bush’ is a popular English idiom which means to avoid talking directly about a topic or situation by moving away from the subject or speaking in a vague manner. It is also used when someone is failing to explain something clearly.

Etymology

The phrase ‘beat around the bush’ originates from the 15th Century proverb ‘to beat about the bush’ which was used to describe the practice of hunting birds by moving branches and foliage around a shrub to flush birds out in the open. This proverb was later adapted to describe how humans can avoid talking about an uncomfortable topic by evading conversation and not being direct.

Usage

The ‘beat around the bush’ idiom is used as a criticism when someone does not give a direct or straightforward explanation. It is used to accuse someone of being vague and not saying what they really mean or want to say. It can also be used to describe a situation when someone is hesitating to talk about something due to its sensitivity or because they do not want the other person to react negatively.

Example Sentences

• He kept beating around the bush and never answered my question.
• His boss was getting frustrated as he kept beating around the bush.
• Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened.
• She kept beating around the bush and I never got a proper answer.

From One Language to Another: Idioms in Translation

Translating idioms from one language to another can be a tricky task, as the cultural context behind an idiom can be difficult to capture. For example, the French phrase "avoir le cafard" translates to "to have the cockroach," which means to feel down or depressed. Similarly, the Chinese idiom "????" (j?ng d? zh? w?) translates to "frog at the bottom of a well," which refers to someone with a narrow view of the world.