beat about
121beat — refers to an actor s term for how long to wait before doing an action; a beat is usually about one second …
122beat around the bush — to avoid talking about what is important. Quit beating around the bush and tell me what you really think about my idea …
123beat one's meat — verb a) To masturbate. b) To waste time; to engage in an unproductive activity. Syn: fanny about, spin ones wheels …
124beat around the bush — verb a) To treat a topic, but omit its main points, often intentionally. Please stop beating around the bush and tell me what the problem is! b) To delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant. Syn …
125beat the expert — defeat a person who knows a great deal about a particular thing …
126beat the drum — to speak eagerly about something that you support. Once again she was banging the drum for pre school nurseries. (often + for) The opposition parties are always beating the environmental drum …
127beat your breast — to make it obvious by your actions that you are very upset or sorry about something Everybody s beating their breasts but nobody actually does anything …
128beat one’s gums — tv. to waste time talking a great deal without results. □ I’m tired of beating my gums about this stuff. □ You’re just beating your gums. No one is listening …