herumdrucksen

to beat around the bush

verb her-UM-druk-sen Rare

Also means

to be evasive, to hum and haw

Usage Note

Herumdrucksen is colloquial and describes hesitant, evasive speech when someone is reluctant to say something directly — Was soll das Herumdrucksen? Sag es einfach! is a typical impatient response.

Examples

"Hör auf herumzudrucksen und sag mir die Wahrheit!"

Natural Translation

Stop beating around the bush and tell me the truth!

Literal Translation

Stop around-pressing and tell me the truth!

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