beat around
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle around
Meanings
Avoid the main point by being indirect (beat around the bush)
Why “around”? The path bends to avoid an obstacle instead of passing through it.
“Stop beating around the bush.”
“He beat around the bush before asking for money.”
Don't confuse with
Beat around means avoid the main point by being indirect. Beat down means fall strongly and steadily.
Test yourself
“Stop beating around the bush.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
beat down
A contrast learners often mix up
(of sun or rain) fall strongly and steadily
dance around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Avoid a topic by being evasive
get around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Avoid a rule or difficulty; Travel or move about; (of news) become widely known; Find time to do something
go around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Take a longer path to avoid something; Move in a circular path; Be enough for everyone in a group; Behave in a particular way habitually; (of an illness) be common in a community
manoeuvre around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Steer skilfully around an obstacle
skirt around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Avoid by detouring round the edge
talk around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Discuss without addressing directly
work around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Find a way past an obstacle
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