Hem and haw Meaning in English
expression
ˈhɛm/ /ˈænd/, /ənd/ /ˈhɔ
HEM-and-HAW
hˈɛm/ /ˈænd/ /hˈɔː
HEM-and-HAW
Definition
To hesitate or speak with pauses, often because you are unsure, embarrassed, or trying to avoid answering directly.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal idiom, often describing someone avoiding giving a clear answer. Common in spoken English. Not used in formal writing. Similar to "beat around the bush," but focuses more on hesitation and awkward speech.
Spanish: dudar - titubear - vacilarPortuguese (BR): hesitar - ficar enrolandoPortuguese (PT): hesitar - ficar a enrolarChinese (Simplified): 支支吾吾 - 吞吞吐吐Chinese (Traditional): 支支吾吾 - 吞吞吐吐Hindi: हिचकिचाना - टालमटोल करनाArabic: يتلكأ - يترددBengali: দিন গোনা - টালবাহানা করাRussian: мяться - колебатьсяJapanese: 口ごもる - もじもじするVietnamese: ấp úng - lưỡng lựKorean: 말을 더듬다 - 우물쭈물하다Turkish: geveleyip durmak - lafı dolandırmakUrdu: ہچکچانا - گول مول بات کرناIndonesian: berpikir-pikir - ragu-ragu
Example Sentences
Whenever I ask him about his job, he hems and haws.
basic
Please answer directly, don’t hem and haw.
basic
He tends to hem and haw when making decisions.
basic
I knew he was going to say no when he started to hem and haw.
natural
Stop hemming and hawing—just tell me what you really think!
natural
She hemmed and hawed for ages before finally agreeing.
natural