[Idiom] DON’T BEAT AROUND THE BUSH. - How to Communicate Directly Without Evasion
Don’t beat around the bush.
speak directly, avoid evasion
The phrase 'Don’t beat around the bush' urges directness and straightforwardness in communication, avoiding unnecessary preambles or distractions. Historically, it derives from hunting practices where hunters would beat the bushes to flush birds out into the open but would focus on this rather than the actual capture. In everyday use, telling someone to not beat around the bush is requesting them to get to the point or address the matter at hand without circumlocution, thereby ensuring clarity and efficiency in conversations.
Example Sentences
Please don't beat around the bush; tell me what you really think.
Please get straight to the point and tell me your honest opinion.
The manager told the team not to beat around the bush and get straight to the point.
The manager instructed the team to speak directly and avoid beating around the bush.
When asked about the project, he didn't beat around the bush and gave a blunt answer.
He directly answered the questions about the project without avoiding the main topic.