The phrase “beat around the bush” means to discuss a matter without coming to the point. It is often used when someone wants to avoid talking about what is important or relevant. For example, if you ask someone a direct question and they start talking about something else, you might say “stop beating around the bush and answer me”.
The origin of this phrase comes from hunting, where people would beat the bushes with sticks to scare out the animals hiding inside. Sometimes, they would beat around the bush instead of hitting it directly, because they were afraid of what might come out. This is similar to how some people talk around their point instead of getting straight to it.
Some synonyms for “beat around the bush” are prevaricate, vacillate, hedge, quibble, or circumlocute. Some antonyms are come to the point, cut to the chase, get to the point, or be direct.
