beat about the bush

Meaning

1. Oxford100% of films

   to talk about sth for a long time without coming to the main point

   Don't beat about the bush, Lindsay.

In the movies · 6

• Don't beat about the bush, Lindsay.24 Hour Party People2002
• And I won't... beat around the bush.Let Him Go2020
• Alright, now, let's stop beating around the bush.The Shop Around the Corner1940
• You don't beat about the bush, do you?Howards End1992

Learn it in full scenes

• 24 Hour Party People2002
  • Tony Wilson Names the Factory
  • Tony Wilson Names Joy Division
  • Tony Wilson Announces the US Tour
• The Shop Around the Corner1940
  • Morning Gossip at Matuschek's
  • The Anonymous Letter From Box 237
  • Matuschek's Singing Cigarette Box

From the same entry

• beat at their own game
• beat your brains out
• beat your breast
• beat the clock
• beat it
• beat a path to door
• beat the rap
• beat a retreat
• beat time
• beat to the punch
• can you beat that
• if you can't beat them, join them

More idioms

• to cut a long story short
• the elephant in the room
• keep an eye open
• by themselves
• far from it
• feel good
• be no use
• put your foot down
• sooner or later
• on board
• out loud
• in order to do