Beat Around the Bush

To avoid talking directly about a subject.
To speak in a roundabout or indirect way, usually to delay or avoid saying something unpleasant.

Stop beating around the bush and tell us what the client really said.
In business emails, it’s better to be clear and not beat around the bush.
She kept beating around the bush instead of giving a straight answer about the project.

1. Fill in the blank:

He never gives a direct answer—he always __________ around the __________.

Answer

beats around the bush

2. Choose the correct meaning of “beat around the bush”:

A) To walk in a forest
B) To avoid saying something directly
C) To criticize someone openly

Answer

B) To avoid saying something directly

3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

“Please stop avoiding the topic and just tell us your opinion.” → Change the sentence using: beat around the bush

Answer

Please stop beating around the bush and just tell us your opinion.

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