hem and haw

Thân thiện

Definition

Verb: - To hesitate or be indecisive in speech; to pause and speak in a vague, non-committal way, often making sounds like "hem" and "haw" while searching for the right words or avoiding a direct answer.

Usage

This verb is used to describe someone who is stalling for time or is unable to give a clear, immediate response, typically due to uncertainty, embarrassment, or a desire to avoid commitment. It often implies a degree of awkwardness or evasiveness.

Examples

• When asked about his future plans, he could only hem and haw.
• The politician hemmed and hawed during the interview instead of giving a straight answer.
• Don't just hem and haw; tell me clearly if you can come to the party or not.

Advanced Usage

• To hem and haw over something: To hesitate or be indecisive about a specific thing.
  • She hemmed and hawed over the decision for weeks before finally choosing a university.

Variants and Related Words

• Hesitate (verb): To pause before saying or doing something, often due to uncertainty or nervousness. (A more general synonym.)
• Falter (verb): To speak in a hesitant or unsteady voice.
• Vacillate (verb): To alternate between different opinions or actions; to be indecisive. (This is a more formal term and often refers to longer periods of indecision.)

Synonyms

• Dither
• Waffle (informal)
• Equivocate
• Beat around the bush

Related Phrases

• Beat around the bush: To avoid talking about what is important; to approach a subject in a roundabout way.
  • Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think.

Related Idioms

• On the fence: Undecided between two opinions or courses of action.
  • He's still on the fence about which job offer to accept. (This describes the state of indecision, while "hem and haw" describes the verbal manifestation of it.)

Học thuật

Verb

1. utter `hems' and `haws'; indicated hesitation
   • He hemmed and hawed when asked to address the crowd