English Explanatory Dictionary

beat about the bush

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. Alternative form of beat around the bush.

Pronunciation

bēt′ ə-bout′ ðə bo͝oʃ /ˈbiːt əˌbaʊ̯t ðə bʊʃ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-beat about the bush.wav /ˈbit əˌbaʊ̯t ðə bʊʃ/ /ˈbiːt əˌbæɔ̯t ðə bʊʃ/ /ˈbiːt əˌbæʊ̯t ðə bʊʃ/ /ˈbit əˌbʌʊ̯t ðə bʉʃ/ /ˈbiːʈ aˌbawʈ ðe bʊʃ/

Word forms

beat about the bush beats about the bush beating about the bush beated about the bush beaten about the bush

Etymology

From medieval English hunting practices. Some men would whack bushes with sticks to scare birds out so that others could hunt them. Beating the bush directly could be dangerous.

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