Looking for synonyms for beat around the bush? We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of other ways to say beat around the bush.
- Evade the issue
- Skirt around the subject
- Dodge the question
- Hedge
- Prevaricate
- Circumlocute
- Be evasive
- Sidestep the issue
- Talk around the subject
- Equivocate
- Be vague
- Speak indirectly
- Avoid the subject
- Be non-committal
- Use ambiguous language
- Be elusive
- Dance around the topic
- Vacillate
- Be unclear
- Beat about the bush
Want to learn how to say beat around the bush professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.
1. Evade the Issue
When to Use: Suitable for avoiding a direct response or action.
Example: “During the meeting, he seemed to evade the issue of budget cuts.”
2. Skirt Around the Subject
When to Use: Appropriate for avoiding direct engagement with a topic.
Example: “The manager skirted around the subject of layoffs in the department.”
3. Dodge the Question
When to Use: Best used when someone avoids answering a question directly.
Example: “In the interview, the candidate managed to dodge the question about his previous job experience.”
4. Hedge
When to Use: Suitable for being non-committal or evasive.
Example: “When asked about the merger, the CEO hedged, providing few details.”
5. Prevaricate
When to Use: Appropriate for speaking or acting in an evasive way.
Example: “The spokesperson seemed to prevaricate when questioned about the company’s environmental policies.”
6. Circumlocute
When to Use: Best used for talking in a roundabout way to avoid addressing a topic directly.
Example: “He tended to circumlocute rather than give a straight answer on the project’s progress.”
7. Be Evasive
When to Use: Suitable for deliberately avoiding giving a clear or direct answer.
Example: “During negotiations, the supplier was evasive about delivery timelines.”
8. Sidestep the Issue
When to Use: Appropriate for avoiding dealing with a problem or question directly.
Example: “The manager sidestepped the issue of employee dissatisfaction.”
9. Talk Around the Subject
When to Use: Best used when speaking without addressing the main point.
Example: “In the press conference, she talked around the subject of the scandal.”
10. Equivocate
When to Use: Suitable for using ambiguous language to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself.
Example: “The director equivocated when asked about potential job cuts.”
11. Be Vague
When to Use: Appropriate for being unclear or intentionally non-specific.
Example: “The report was vague about the reasons for the project’s delay.”
12. Speak Indirectly
When to Use: Best used when not speaking straightforwardly or explicitly.
Example: “He tended to speak indirectly about the challenges, never addressing them head-on.”
13. Avoid the Subject
When to Use: Suitable for deliberately not talking about a specific topic.
Example: “Whenever the issue of budget is raised, she avoids the subject.”
14. Be Non-Committal
When to Use: Appropriate for not expressing a clear commitment.
Example: “The committee was non-committal about the proposed changes.”
15. Use Ambiguous Language
When to Use: Best used for employing vague or unclear expressions.
Example: “The policy was written in a way that used ambiguous language, making it hard to interpret.”
16. Be Elusive
When to Use: Suitable for being difficult to catch or pin down.
Example: “His responses were elusive, offering no concrete details.”
17. Dance Around the Topic
When to Use: Appropriate for avoiding direct engagement or approach to a topic.
Example: “In the meeting, she danced around the topic of restructuring.”
18. Vacillate
When to Use: Best used for alternating between different opinions or actions; being indecisive.
Example: “The manager vacillated on the decision, making the team anxious.”
19. Be Unclear
When to Use: Suitable for lacking clarity or precision.
Example: “The objectives for the project were unclear, leading to confusion.”
20. Beat About the Bush
When to Use: Appropriate for avoiding getting to the point.
Example: “Let’s not beat about the bush; we need to discuss the issue directly.”
