beat about the bush; speak indirectly
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to beat about the bush; to speak in a roundabout way; to prevaricate
informalFigurative usage implying that someone is being evasive or indirect in speech, often to hide their true intentions or to avoid offending someone.
Tā他
xīn心
yǎn眼
er儿
duō多
，
shuō说
huà话
ài爱
zhuàn转
wān弯
zi子
。
He is full of schemes and likes to beat around the bush when talking.
Nǐ你
yǒu有
shén什
me么
huà话
jiù就
zhí直
shuō说
，
bié别
zhuàn转
wān弯
zi子
。
If you have something to say, just say it directly; don't beat around the bush.
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Kāi开
huì会
shí时
，
tā他
zǒng总
shì是
zhuàn转
wān弯
zi子
pī批
píng评
rén人
，
ràng让
rén人
hěn很
bù不
shū舒
fu服
。
During meetings, he always criticizes people in a roundabout way, which makes everyone very uncomfortable.