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beat around the bush

beat around the bush

Date: Nov 14 2019

Themes: Celebrity, Pop Culture, Romance

Quote

1. Quote - Listen to the quote and guess what the slang means.

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“I’d rather have honest relationships, because life is too short to beat around the bush. Honesty shows that you really care about someone.”

Actress Hilary Swank, talking about the importance of honesty. (SearchQuotes)

Definition

1. Definition - Study the definition.

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talk about something important without saying it directly

2. Use - Learn how the slang is used.

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When you have something important to say, what do you normally do? Do you say it right away? Or do you wait until it is too late? Even though we know some things are important, many of us often beat around the bush.

To beat around the bush means to talk about something without actually saying what needs to be said. For example, if Jane wants to break up with her boyfriend, but only tells him she is a little unhappy, she is beating around the bush. It would be better if she was honest and just broke up with him. Or, if your friend has a delicious-looking sandwich, don’t beat around the bush. Just ask for a bite!

Actress Hilary Swank thinks that it is important to be honest and not beat around the bush. She thinks that honesty shows you really care about someone. It’s always better to just tell the truth.

Do you normally beat around the bush? What do you do?

Examples

1. Examples - Hear some example sentences.

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“Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened.”

“Jack never beats around the bush. If something is on his mind, he says it immediately.”

“Don’t beat around the bush. Tell me what you really think. Do you like my shirt or not?”

“It’s very important that you don’t beat around the bush. Tell us everything you know.”

Winners

1. Winners - See who guessed the slang definition correctly.

Lia_Lia15 I think it refers to those situations when somebody avoids straight and simple answers; it´s a mix of lies, omissions, hidden truths.
by Lia_Lia15
aijaciba To avoid talking about important things.
by aijaciba
Not to be honest.To go around one point without being direct in answering.
by La Princesse de la vie

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Comments

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Sergijko

Sergijko

Ukraine

There are moments when it is exciting to beat around the bush before telling good news for someone. 

01:43 PM May 31 2015 |

Naveen Singh Shahi

India

Please do not talk me beat around the bush come to the point.




08:29 AM May 07 2015 |

nehalmohfouz

Egypt

I love this expressionn because alot of people alwase always beat around the bush and never say the truth !!!

08:55 AM Apr 18 2015 |

majiaoqin

majiaoqin

China

do not beat around the bush, say what you want to , and do what you want to 

06:57 AM Apr 11 2015 |

kulirav

Albania

Take the simple way out by lying.

02:58 PM Apr 10 2015 |

tjyuan

tjyuan

China

I think that it is not polite saying advise directly to colleagues. Adult usually thinking everything all right with himself, so we should using beat around the bush for him. 


When we have something small things, we should say directly it is polite, for example choicing food where to go.

10:35 PM Apr 09 2015 |

Ditti

Ditti

Hungary

It’s true that not a good thing to beat around the bush, but I think that sometimes we have to do it. And it is not a bad thing at all just a propitious lying.


For example when your child try to do something at first and it isn’t so succesfull do you say that she or he was unskillfull? Or when your child favorite pet dies, you try to comfort them that their pet is in the heaven, instead of saying that it died.


But of course the situation is different with an adult. The truth is sometimes hurts them, but the direct way is the best even it is hard. And the closer is someone to you the more straight have to be you with him or her, because it is the only way you can help them.

MESS

MESS

Turkey

Okay, guys, so let’s just make something clear. I think this saying is misinterpreted somehow. Honesty is something that I cannot give up. It is a part of my philosophy of life, but am I honest all the time? I mean, do I ever say white lies? Yes, baby, I do. 


For example: 


If someone that I know is seriously ill (e.g. cancer), I definitely say something positive to cheer him/her up, even though he/she is in a really bad condition. 


But if my brother wears a shirt that does not match his pants, I definitely tell him my honest opinion and give him some clues about it. I do not beat around the bush.


However, if a stranger that I see on the street wears a funny pants matched with weird shoes, I definitely go past him/her and never ever say a word. I do not even turn my head and look again. But he/she came to me and asked what I was thinking about his/her clothes, I would explain my honest opinions but definitely add that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I would not go to him/her and say like, “Hey, I will not beat around the bush but say it straightly. I hate your freaking weird shoes, not to mention your clothes…” This would be a totally different thing and definitely against my true self. 


When I first read the lesson, I did not think about it in detail. Thus, I posted a general comment. But I do not really keep silent if I do not like something. I just say it straightly and honestly no matter who the person I am talking to is. I never lash out angry words,  though. I watch my tongue. Keeping silent is not a solution at all. Problems can only be solved when uttered and discussed openly. 


s11211s

s11211s

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I try always have honest relationship, but the problem is if you are honest in all situation, this may hurt other and then yourself!
I learned to be silent instead of being honest and lying or beat around the bush! In some case I can’t be silent, for example If the closest people to me like my brother or friend doing wrong! I can’t not to say my opinion!
I prefer people be honest with me and not beat around the bush me, because “the bitterest truth is better than the sweetest lie” for me!

04:41 PM Apr 09 2015 |

Shoba

Shoba

Sri Lanka



Thank you, Princesse. You’re so kind to me. 


I too enjoy reading your sensible comments. 



01:49 PM Apr 09 2015 |

S&W

S&W

China

@Hey julito ,your comments often proved that life experiences can tell people how to communicate with others in a proper way.hahaha I always like your comments.

11:24 AM Apr 09 2015 |

julito1

julito1

Argentina

I have read all the comments on this platform and i see that some are in favour while others are against beating around the bush. My position is that we need to use different strategies depending  on each case involved. One of the spouses is gaining weight ,almost  on the fringe of obesity, this is  case-sensitive, you don´t want to hear from your spouse that you are overweight .then what to do to avoid problems at home… beating around the bush: honey , recent studies show that obesity shortens the life span by at least 10   years  than of those that  keep a balance diet. This is not hurting others feeling.

La Princesse de la vie

Egypt

Shoba, have I told you before that I like your comments? I always come across something new to me involved in each of them :))

08:48 AM Apr 09 2015 |

La Princesse de la vie

Egypt

I don’t have more to say than what most people here said. Honesty needs bravery, especially when it’s something might hurt the other side, and that’s not me.


Yeah, beating around the bush can be a waste of time, because sooner or later, the truth must be said in a way or another. But beating around the bush can show that you are a bit thoughtful about other’s feelings. It’s not lying anyway, you’re just trying not to hit the others.



08:46 AM Apr 09 2015 |

sadafh

sadafh

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Beating around the bush can be useful in some cases,being honest is great but not always sometimes you need to beat around the bush and avoid speaking directly because you may hurt sb’s feeling by doing that😳

08:04 AM Apr 09 2015 |

Shoba

Shoba

Sri Lanka



I don’t usually beat around the bush. I just cut to the chase and prefer the same from the others too. 


But sometimes straight talking can be harsh specially on little children and over-sensitive people. At those times I beat around the bush a bit, or sugar coat the pill.



MESS

MESS

Turkey

I am someone who loves to do things properly and say things honestly no matter what the consequence is. To me, if something needs to be said or done, then it just needs to be. Beating around the bush will not make it any better. Instead, it will make it worse. So I am pretty straightforward and all for honesty.


Whenever I decide to start a relationship, the first thing I tell my partner is, “Whatever you do, just be honest. You may fall for another girl or sleep with another girl. Just tell me honestly. Do not let me hear it from somewone else. Or do not even cheat on me. That’s pretty despicable. Tell me honestly and I will appreciate your honesty.” 


Also, I feel super annoyed when I sense that someone is beating around the bush with me. I immediately go like, “Okay, so why do you not stop beating around the bush and tell me honestly?”


It is that simple. No bush or beating involved. Honesty works in all circumstances.

ScienceBoy

ScienceBoy

Turkey

Honesty is good for sure but sometimes we can beat around the bush not to hurt people’s feelings.


If it’s a very important case like being in love or not or saying yes or no to a proposal, we must be honest no mater what. But sometimes for some nonimportant things we can beat around bush and make people happy. For example if someone is wearing a cloth that we don’t like and ask if we liked it we can beat around the bush just a little bit instead of saying no we can say like “It’s not my type but it’s not bad on you” I mean we can see the half full part of the glass.

Mahtab.bp

Mahtab.bp

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I usually say what I really feel!


I stay silent or say everything that is on my mind directly!


But sometimes I hurt people with saying my real feelings!


Maybe it is better in such situation we beat around the bush and find the better time to say our words!

hermitlady

China

Sometimes i like beating around the bush and sometimes i can beat around the bush. Because there are  some different situations. 

02:38 AM Apr 09 2015 |

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