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As for "beat around the bush," Ammer has this: beat around the bush Also beat about the bush. Approach indirectly, in a roundabout way, or too cautiously. For example, Stop beating around the bush—get to the point. This term, first recorded in 1572, originally may have alluded to beating the bushes for game.
Why "beat around the bush?" [duplicate] Ask Question Asked 10 years, 11 months ago.
Oct 20, 2019 at 22:44. 1. I think that "avoiding directly saying something by instead saying something that is sort of related to the thing in question but really only hints at it" is the primary sense of "beating around the bush." The digressive meaning that you mention might fall more comfortably under the heading of "changing the subject."
beat around the bush. Also beat about the bush. Approach indirectly in a roundabout way, or too cautiously. For example, Stop beating around the bush—get to the point. This term, first recorded in 1572, originally may have alluded to beating the bushes for game. In contrast to the too cautious bush beater, the cat or dog walking around the ...
beat around the bush: to avoid answering a question; to stall; to waste time. Stop beating around the bush and answer my question. Edit: Found the following related idioms. sit on the fence: Fig. not to take sides in a dispute; not to make a clear choice between two possibilities.
Unless there were bushes, the phrase would not be understood. See Google Ngrams for the search terms hit the bushes,hit the trail where it is used only literally (with "hit" = start/enter into) and without the meaning of "to escape" - other than where there are actually bushes.
Those, for example, who want to limit activities in education will argue around the edges, that the programs are flawed, that money is wasted, and so forth. What they do not argue (because they know the argument is a loser) is that education isn't worth the money. A somewhat related idiom would be: Beat around the bush — Wiktionary
The phrase " to beat about the bush" or " beat around the bush" may be tried. The latter is an American version but has already overtook the former British version. It means to prevaricate avoiding the main issue. The idiomatic expression is an old one and evolves from its literal meaning in the exercise of beating the bush for rousing the birds.
But Bob isn't trying to stall or waste time: he's just being a jerk. I see beat around the bush as implying that the speaker doesn't know (maybe he doesn't), whereas the OP is focused more on the mean and condescending aspect. Bob is definitely being a know-it-all tho. –
I wouldn't call those questions "passive-aggressive". I would say your mom beats around the bush instead of getting straight to the point. beat around the bush - Approach indirectly, in a roundabout way, or too cautiously. For example, Stop beating around the bush-get to the point.