"Beat Around the Bush" means to talk about a subject in a roundabout way without mentioning it directly. It can also refer to talking about many unimportant things because you want to avoid talking about the really important matter. This usage generally implies frustration on the point of the listener who wants the person to get to the point already.

The phrase "beat around the bush" evolved from it's original literal meaning where hunters used 'beaters' to go ahead of them into the bushes and roust birds or other prey for them to hunt. The beaters, fearing animals such as boar, would beat around the bush rather than beat the bush directly. This phrase relates well to the saying Cut to the Chase.

Use Example - Enough already! Stop beating around the bush and tell me what's on your mind!

   Concept Tags : Hunting   Conciseness