Idiom meaning, usage examples, facts

1. Judy couldn’t come right out and tell her fiancé that she no longer wanted to marry him. She had to beat around the bush until he understood.
2. If you disagree with my opinion, just tell me. Don’t beat around the bush.

Antonym: get to the point. Synonyms: stonewall; hem and haw. The phrase originates from a hunting practice dating to the 15th century, in which hunters hired ‘beaters’ to drive small animals out of bushes where the hunters could more easily get to them. The beaters would lightly beat around the edges of the bushes to lure the animals out without completely frightening them away.