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What does “beat around the bush” mean?
Meaning, example sentences and a quick practice question.
B2
To avoid saying something directly, usually because it's difficult
“Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened.”
Say it smoothly: “bee-ta-round-thuh-bush”
From the B2 lesson Reading Between the Lines (honest communication).
C1
To avoid saying something directly, out of hesitation
“Stop beating around the bush and just tell me.”
Say it smoothly: “bea-taround-thuh-bush”
From the C1 lesson Reading Between the Lines (honest communication).
Quick check
What does “beat around the bush” mean?
Teaching this phrase?“beat around the bush” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, three exercises, speaking tasks and an answer key, in Everyday English Chunks B2 Pack 4 (Communication, Decisions and Habits) and C1 Pack 4 (Communication, Decisions and Habits).
See the B2 lesson pack See the C1 lesson pack
See the B2 lesson pack See the C1 lesson pack
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Related phrases
- read between the linesto understand a meaning that isn't stated directly
- get your point acrossto make sure other people understand what you're trying to say
- straight to the pointdirect, without unnecessary details
- a heart-to-heartan honest, personal conversation, often about feelings
- break the newsto tell someone important information, often bad news
- speak your mindto say openly and honestly what you really think
- put it bluntlyto say something in a very direct, sometimes blunt, way
- keep sb in the darkto deliberately not tell someone information
- drop a hintto suggest something indirectly rather than saying it outright
- pull no punchesto speak very directly and honestly, even if it's uncomfortable
- sugar-coat sthto make bad news sound better or gentler than it is
- a diplomatic answera careful, tactful response that avoids offense or commitment