How to Pronounce "hem and haw"
expression
HEM-and-HAW
HEM-and-HAW
Definition
To hesitate or speak with pauses, often because you are unsure, embarrassed, or trying to avoid answering directly.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈhɛm/ /ˈænd/, /ənd/ /ˈhɔ
British English
hˈɛm/ /ˈænd/ /hˈɔː
Simplified Pronunciation
US
HEM-and-HAW
UK
HEM-and-HAW
Listen in Context
Whenever I ask him about his job, he hems and haws.
Please answer directly, don’t hem and haw.
He tends to hem and haw when making decisions.
I knew he was going to say no when he started to hem and haw.