not beat about the bush

not beat about the bush

To not speak vaguely or euphemistically; to be frank and direct. Primarily heard in UK. Don't beat about the bush—just tell me the truth. I wish they wouldn't beat about the bush like that. If they're going to fire me, then they should just fire me already!
See also: beat, bush, not
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • not beat around the bush
  • beat about the bush
  • beat around the bush
  • pace around hot porridge like a cat
  • up on (one's) ear
  • chip
  • chips
  • Two Bob
  • (as) dead as mutton
  • dead as mutton
References in classic literature
Coulson," he said, "we need not beat about the bush. You ask us a plain question and you want a plain answer.
Team manager George English did not beat about the bush when asked about his side's chances of progressing to the semi-final stage saying: "One thing's for sure, we are going to have to perform a heck of a lot better than we did when we raced against Berwick in the two Championship Shield matches at the start of the season."
"Let's not beat about the bush. Steven's had a very inconsistent performance at Rugby Park.
Let's not beat about the bush. This would be catastrophic for Wales.
While responding to Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Marriyum said that Fawad should not beat about the bush and should answer for the money looted and embezzled by Aleema Khan.
'Fawad Chaudhry must not beat about the bush but talk about Aleema's theft,' she said and asked when a JIT will be formed to investigate the allegations against his sister.
"Let's not beat about the bush here, we don't want to sell.
"Let's not beat about the bush - it will lead to difficulties and a bit of unrest.
Giving evidence led by his lawyer Ms Bokani Machinya recently, Mangwa who testified after Patrick Gaile who admitted having a hand in the incident, did not beat about the bush but told the court that while at Tuwana camp he together with Lebang Ntesi and Gorata Sebego forcefully entered the Chinese man's house where they ransacked it for anything they could profit from.
"And let's not beat about the bush it was a hard knock to take after the positivity and excitement of the campaign, particularly over the last few months.
Let's not beat about the bush, greyhound racing needs television coverage.
Let's not beat about the bush, had we remained in the EU Teessiders would see precious little of the promised riches so often enjoyed by the likes of city slickers and property speculators.
Bruce admitted: "Let's not beat about the bush, we have got away with one there.
TWO million pounds - let's not beat about the bush, we are not talking pennies here, we are talking about a lot of money.
Murray said: "Let's not beat about the bush, it's the biggest sendingoffyou'llseethisweek in Britain - it's that bad."