be beating the bushes (for someone or something)

be beating the bushes (for someone or something)

To be searching 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: beating, bush, someone
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

be beating the bushes

AMERICAN
If someone is beating the bushes, they are trying very hard to get or achieve something. Maybe Democratic leaders should be beating the bushes to register voters to support their nominee. He was tired of beating the bushes for work, and he did not want to ask for help or accept charity.
See also: beating, bush
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • be beating the bushes
  • beat the bushes
  • beat the bushes (for someone or something)
  • beat the bushes for
  • look for (someone or something) high and low
  • look for high and low
  • beat the bushes for, to
  • scrounge someone or something up
  • scrounge up
  • clear away