beat about the bush BrE
beat around the bush

I hoped that they did not have any friends beating about the bushes.

I can sense them when others beat about the bushes in the darkness."

He will glide down a hedge like a serpent, and while you are beating about the bushes, peering into the ditch, there he is beyond a haystack, a long mile before you.

"I'm not one for beating around the bushes."

I don't beat around the bushes.

Nocka unsteadily beat around the bushes, and then, remembering Rex's penchant for hiding behind trees, began to startle imaginary playmates by dodging around and crying hi!