Beat About

Pronunciation: /biːt əˈbaʊt/

Definitions of beat about

verb to avoid talking about something directly or to talk about something without making much progress

Example Sentences

A1 Please don't beat about the bush, just tell me what you want.

A2 She tends to beat about the bush when discussing sensitive topics.

B1 The politician beat about the bush instead of giving a direct answer to the question.

B2 It's frustrating when people beat about the bush instead of being straightforward.

C1 The CEO doesn't beat about the bush when making important decisions.

C2 In negotiations, it's important not to beat about the bush and get straight to the point.

Examples of beat about in a Sentence

formal During the meeting, the speaker did not beat about the bush and went straight to the main points.

informal Stop beating about the bush and just tell me what you want.

slang Quit beating around the bush and get to the point.

figurative She beat about the topic for hours without really addressing the issue at hand.

Grammatical Forms of beat about

• past tense: beat about
• plural: beat about
• comparative: more beat about
• superlative: most beat about
• present tense: beats about
• future tense: will beat about
• perfect tense: has beaten about
• continuous tense: is beating about
• singular: beats about
• positive degree: beat about
• infinitive: to beat about
• gerund: beating about
• participle: beaten about

Origin and Evolution of beat about

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Old English and Middle English

Story behind the word: The phrase 'beat about' is believed to have originated from Old English and Middle English, where 'beat' meant to strike or hit and 'about' meant around or in the vicinity of.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the phrase 'beat about' evolved to mean to wander aimlessly or to discuss something without coming to the point. It is commonly used in informal conversations and writing to convey a sense of avoiding the main topic or being indirect in communication.