beat around the bush
To treat a topic, but omit its main points, often intentionally.
beat
/biːt/
noun 6verb 6adj 6
Collocations
22(noun.) rhythm
ADJ
regular, rhythmic, steady | pounding
VERB + BEAT
clap to, dance to, sway to
The children swayed to the steady beat of the drum during the performance.
PHRASES
two, three, four, etc. beats to the bar
The drummer counted three beats to the bar before the band started playing.
sb's heart misses/skips a beat
(noun.) of a police officer
VERB + BEAT
pound, walk
The police officer pounded the beat every morning, checking on the neighborhood shops.
PREP
on the ~
The police officer has been on the beat in this neighborhood for ten years.
(verb.) in a game
ADV
comfortably, comprehensively, convincingly, easily, hands down, soundly
The home team beat their rivals convincingly with a final score of 3-0.
narrowly
The home team narrowly beat their rivals in the final seconds of the match.
PREP
at
My older brother always beats me at video games, no matter how much I practice.
by
His team beat ours by a single goal in the final match.
PHRASES
beat sb into second, third, etc. place
The home team beat their rivals into third place in the final standings.
(verb.) hit sb
ADV
badly, brutally, savagely, severely, violently
PREP
with
The boxer trained hard and finally managed to beat his rival with a strong right hook.
PHRASES
beat sb about/over the head
The attacker beat him over the head repeatedly until he lost consciousness.
beat sb to death, beat sb unconscious
(verb.) of heart/wings
ADV
fast, frantically, painfully, rapidly, wildly
His heart was beating frantically as he waited to hear the exam results.
(verb.) mix
ADV
thoroughly, well
She thoroughly beat the eggs before pouring them into the pan.
lightly
She lightly beat the cream until soft peaks formed.
PHRASAL VERBS beat down
ADV
mercilessly, relentlessly
PREP
on/upon
The heavy rain beat against the windows all through the night.
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