"hem and haw" in Chinese (Simplified)

• 支支吾吾
• 吞吞吐吐

Definition

说话吞吞吐吐、犹豫不决，通常因为不确定、尴尬或想回避直接回答。

Usage Notes (Chinese (Simplified))

是口语表达，形容说话吞吞吐吐、回避正面回答。多用于日常会话，不适合正式场合。和“beat around the bush”类似，但更强调迟疑和不流畅的说话方式。

Examples

Whenever I ask him about his job, he hems and haws.

每次我问他工作，他都**支支吾吾的**。

Please answer directly, don’t hem and haw.

请直接回答，别**支支吾吾**。

He tends to hem and haw when making decisions.

他做决定时常常会**吞吞吐吐**。

I knew he was going to say no when he started to hem and haw.

他一开始**支支吾吾**，我就知道他要拒绝了。

Stop hemming and hawing—just tell me what you really think!

别再**吞吞吐吐**了，直接告诉我你的想法！

She hemmed and hawed for ages before finally agreeing.

她**支支吾吾**了很久才终于同意。