源自古老的打猎习俗。猎人为了惊动灌木丛里的鸟，会先在周围敲打（beat around），而不是直接进入。现在用来指说话不直截了当。

• Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really want. ^{别拐弯抹角了，告诉我你到底想要什么。}
• If you have a problem with my work, don’t beat around the bush. ^{如果你对我的工作有意见，请直说。}
• He beat around the bush for ten minutes before asking for a loan. ^{他拐弯抹角说了十分钟才开口借钱。}