hem and haw

动词 v.
中文释义

英文释义

动词 v.
  1. To discuss, deliberate, or contemplate rather than taking action or making up one's mind. US,idiomatic
    — If you hem and haw long enough, someone else will do it first.
  2. To mumble and procrastinate in one's speech, especially with a reply to a hard question or with voicing a decision on a topical matter; to evade a question, giving vague answers; to equivocate or temporize.
    — The man at the Chief Office hemmed and hawed. 'We make it a rule,' he explained, 'to give no information concerning our clients.' 'But in this case,' I urged, 'it is the client who requests you to give the information concerning himself.' Again he hemmed and hawed.

词形变化

hems and haws present,singular,third-person hemming and hawing participle,present hemmed and hawed participle,past hemmed and hawed past hem and hah alternative,dated

词源

hem + and + haw
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