Beat around the bush

To avoid talking about the main point, usually because it is awkward or unpleasant.

Examples

Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened to my laptop.
He beat around the bush for ten minutes before asking for a day off.

How to use it

Informal. Usually negative: don't beat around the bush. British English also uses "beat about the bush".

Where it comes from

Probably from hunting, where helpers beat bushes to drive birds out so that others could catch them.