beating around the bush

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beating around the bush" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is not being straightforward in their communication, either by deliberately avoiding the point or by talking in a vague, roundabout way. For example, you might say "My editor is beating around the bush, so I'm not sure if he likes my story or not."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

> There's no beating around the bush here.

Stanford University

No beating around the bush.

The New York Times

There's very little beating around the bush".

The New York Times

"Procrastinating and beating around the bush would be worse".

The New York Times

R Kelly isn't one for beating around the bush.

The Guardian - Music

There's no point in beating around the bush: many were.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

We came from hard-core, no beating-around-the-bush, direct, honest-values places.

The New York Times - Sports

"You know, I think we're beating around the bush here," he reportedly said.

Independent

At least today they're not beating around the bush anymore.

TechCrunch

No point in beating around the bush, son: we lost the vote.

Huffington Post

There is no beating around the bush when it comes to being a leader.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "beating around the bush" to critique indirect communication or when someone is hesitant to address a topic directly. For example, "Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think."

Common error

Avoid using "beating around the bush" when the situation simply requires tact or diplomacy. Sometimes, indirectness is necessary to soften a message or avoid causing offense. Save the phrase for situations where the lack of directness is unproductive or manipulative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beating around the bush" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically serving as a criticism or observation of indirect communication. It suggests someone is avoiding a direct or straightforward approach in their speech or writing. Ludwig AI confirms this with its numerous examples across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Beating around the bush" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe someone who is avoiding a direct answer or topic. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While directness is often valued, this phrase points out when someone's indirectness is unproductive or evasive. Alternatives like "pussyfooting around", "speaking indirectly", or "avoiding the issue" can be used, but "beating around the bush" remains a clear and frequently used way to call out indirect communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Pussyfooting around

Suggests being cautious and indirect, often due to fear of causing offense.

Dodging the question

Highlights the act of evading a direct response to a question.

Not getting to the point

Emphasizes a failure to directly address the main issue.

Avoiding the issue

Focuses on steering clear of a particular problem or subject.

Speaking indirectly

Highlights the act of not addressing the subject directly.

Equivocating

Highlights the use of vague language to conceal the truth or avoid commitment.

Circumlocutory

Emphasizes speaking in a roundabout way.

Being ambiguous

Focuses on lacking clarity and precision.

Evasive

Focuses on being deliberately unclear or avoiding the topic.

Playing coy

Implies being deliberately evasive or secretive.

FAQs

How can I use "beating around the bush" in a sentence?

You can use "beating around the bush" to describe someone who is avoiding a direct answer or topic. For example: "He's "beating around the bush", just tell me what happened!"

What's a less common way to say "beating around the bush"?

Alternatives to "beating around the bush" include "pussyfooting around" or "circumlocutory", although these might not fit every context.

Is it better to "beat around the bush" or be direct?

It depends on the situation. Being direct is often valued for clarity, but "beating around the bush" can be useful when trying to be tactful or avoid conflict. However, be mindful not to be overly evasive.

What's the difference between "avoiding the issue" and "beating around the bush"?

"Avoiding the issue" is a general term for not addressing a problem, while ""beating around the bush"" specifically refers to speaking indirectly or evasively about a topic.