beat the bushes

beat the bushes (for someone or something)

To search for someone or something exhaustively and at great length. I've been beating the bushes for a bigger apartment, but there's nothing out there I can afford!
See also: beat, bush, someone
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

beat the bushes

search thoroughly. North American informal
This expression originates from the way in which hunters walk through undergrowth wielding long sticks which are used to force birds or animals out into the open where they can be shot or netted.
See also: beat, bush
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

beat the ˈbushes

(especially American English) try very hard to find, obtain or achieve something: Telephone companies are beating the bushes for new customers.
See also: beat, bush
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

beat the bushes

To make an exhaustive search.
See also: beat, bush
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • beat the bushes (for someone or something)
  • beat the bushes for
  • be beating the bushes
  • be beating the bushes (for someone or something)
  • look for (someone or something) high and low
  • look for high and low
  • beat the bushes for, to
  • bag of wind
  • at great length
  • explain
References in periodicals archive
One is to beat the bushes for extraordinary cars that are hidden in barns and garages.
Classic car prices make world record
The beaters beat the bushes and make the birds fly, the hunters go in for the kill, and the farmers collect the birds and the harvest as they go.
Taking the lead: sales and marketing teams must be connected for a win-win scenario
"We beat the bushes pretty good to try to find her, and she is not around." He said she has lived previously in New York and Florida.
Robbery suspect identified; Arrest warrant issued for woman in bank holdup
For accessories, you'll have to beat the bushes and gun shows for them.
Boys Anti-Tank rifle
Large billboard-type ads are an increasingly familiar sight on the facades of vacant retail properties in Manhattan, according to outdoor advertising companies who used to beat the bushes hunting for landlords with well-located buildings for advertising campaigns.
Billboards: When it really pays to advertise