Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

beat around the bush

/ˈbit əˌɹaʊ̯nd ðə bʊʃ/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.36 in modern English

Syllables
beat a-round the bush
IPA
/ˈbit əˌɹaʊ̯nd ðə bʊʃ/
28
Scrabble Score
17
Letters
2
Syllables
11
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To treat a topic, but omit its main points, often intentionally.

verb

To delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant.

Example Sentences

Etymology

From the older form beat about the bush, replacing the preposition.

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈbit əˌɹaʊ̯nd ðə bʊʃ/
  • British English: /ˈbiːt əˌɹaʊ̯nd ðə bʊʃ/

Inflected Forms

beats around the bush (present, singular) beating around the bush (participle, present) beated around the bush (nonstandard, past) beaten around the bush (participle, past) beated around the bush (nonstandard, participle) beat about the bush (alternative)

Phrases

beat the bushes long-winded

Frequently Paired Words

beat the bushes long-winded circumlocute hem and haw

Synonyms

go around the houses prevaricate pussyfoot ramble tergiversate waffle equivocate palter

Antonyms

cut to the chase get on with get to the point

Questions

How do you pronounce beat around the bush?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈbit əˌɹaʊ̯nd ðə bʊʃ/.
What does beat around the bush mean?
To treat a topic, but omit its main points, often intentionally.
Where does beat around the bush come from?
From the older form beat about the bush, replacing the preposition.

How to pronounce beat around the bush

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “beat around the bush”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈbit əˌɹaʊ̯nd ðə bʊʃ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “beat around the bush”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “beat around the bush” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.