beat around the bush; hint indirectly
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesidiom
to speak or write indirectly; to hint at something without stating it directly
neutralUsed to describe a subtle or roundabout way of asking questions or making a point, often to avoid being too direct or blunt. It implies a strategic or cautious approach.
Tā他
méi没
yǒu有
zhí直
jiē接
pī批
píng评
，
ér而
shì是
páng旁
qiāo敲
cè侧
jī击
dì地
zhǐ指
chū出
le了
wèn问
tí题
suǒ所
zài在
。
He didn't criticize directly but indirectly pointed out the problem.
Jì记
zhě者
páng旁
qiāo敲
cè侧
jī击
dì地
wèn问
le了
jǐ几
gè个
wèn问
tí题
，
shì试
tú图
liǎo了
jiě解
nèi内
mù幕
。
The reporter asked several leading questions, trying to get to the inside story.
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Zài在
tán谈
pàn判
zhōng中
，
tā他
shàn善
yú于
páng旁
qiāo敲
cè侧
jī击
，
shì试
tàn探
duì对
fāng方
de的
dǐ底
xiàn线
。
In negotiations, he is good at hinting around to test the other party's bottom line.
Yǔ与
qí其
páng旁
qiāo敲
cè侧
jī击
，
bù不
rú如
kāi开
mén门
jiàn见
shān山
dì地
shuō说
chū出
nǐ你
de的
xiǎng想
fǎ法
。
Instead of beating around the bush, it's better to state your thoughts frankly.
Tā她
shuō说
huà话
zǒng总
xǐ喜
huān欢
páng旁
qiāo敲
cè侧
jī击
，
ràng让
rén人
mō摸
bù不
zháo着
tóu头
nǎo脑
。
She always likes to talk in hints, which leaves people confused.