You are "beating around the bush" when you talk about things indirectly, not stating exactly what you mean. Example: "Why don't you just come out and say what you want to say? Stop beating around the bush." When you ask questions or hint at things without being clear about what you mean, you are beating around the bush. Example: "If you want to ask me, just ask; don't beat around the bush." Example: "We haven't talked about it directly; we've been beating around the bush."