BEAT AROUND THE BUSH – Meaning & Sentence Examples

Learning a number of English idioms can make your English sound more natural and conversational. Idioms also add colour to your language and help you to be more fluent.

In this video we examine the common idiom: “Beat around the bush” with meanings and examples.

Here is a transcript of the video:

Slide 1:
BEAT AROUND THE BUSH – Meaning & Sentence Examples

Slide 2:
Definition of:
beat around the bush

to avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is embarrassing or it takes courage

The clipart shows a caveman holding a club standing beside a bush.

Note 1: A less common form is “beat about the bush”

Note 2: It is usually used in the form:
“Don’t beat around the bush” or “He/she doesn’t beat around the bush” or “I won’t beat around the bush”
meaning: to say something directly, bluntly, without trying to soften it, or avoid offence

Before we look at some illustrated sentence examples, a quick reminder . . .

Slide 3:
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Slide 4:
The picture shows employees in a staff meeting shocked at what the boss is saying.

Sentence example: The boss began the meeting by saying:
“OK, I won’t beat around the bush. We just received word from head office that they are downsizing and we will have to let some of you go.”

In other words, the boss told the employees that without saying it kindly, due to cut backs some of them would lose their jobs.

Slide 5:
The picture shows a mother with two of her daughters sitting by a swimming pool in conversation.

Sentence example: Mum to daughter:
“I really don’t like the way your sister spoke to me.”

Daughter to Mum:
“Oh, come on Mum. Don’t take it personally. You know her style. She doesn’t beat around the bush.”

So one daughter defends her sister by telling their mother not to get upset or offended at what her daughter said because this is her personality. She speaks directly about what is on her mind, without carefully choosing her words.

Slide 6:
The picture shows a woman in a flowery dress and her sister making a comment as soon as she sees her.

Sentence example: Woman to sister: “Wearing that dress, people could mistake you for wallpaper!”

Sister sarcastically replies:
“Please, don’t beat around the bush, tell me what you really think.”

So the woman is saying exactly what’s on her mind even if it is impolite and blunt, which is why her sister gives a sarcastic reply, telling her to say what she really thinks.

Slide 7:
Summary: the idiom
beat around the bush
simply means:

to avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is embarrassing or it takes courage

So, “not to beat around the bush” means to say something directly, bluntly, without trying to soften it, or avoid offence.

Slide 8:
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If you are interested in “BEAT AROUND THE BUSH – Meaning”, be sure to check another common English idiom in this video:
UNDER the WEATHER – Meaning & Sentence Examples

Image Credits

Slide 4 – business meeting
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Mconnors at Morguefile
https://morguefile.com/p/644967

Slide 5 – talking by the pool
Creative Commons
https://flic.kr/p/2N2QDF

Slide 6 – Flowery dress
Creative Commons
https://flic.kr/p/a36Quo

Regarding the use of illustrations and photographs used in this video:

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