hemmed and hawed
Couldn't commit verbally
Hemmed and hawed describes hesitating or stalling instead of giving a direct answer.
The phrase pairs two sounds of verbal hesitation—hem and haw—into a single expression for evasiveness or indecision: When I asked if he'd be there, he hemmed and hawed.
Someone who hems and haws may be uncertain, uncomfortable, or buying time.
- umSpoken hesitation marker
- falterLose momentum or steadiness
- uhVocalized hesitation marker
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- postponementDelaying to later
ambivalence · uncertainty · vacillate · quandary · vagueness · wavering · second-guessing · dithering · beat around the bush · circumlocution · wishy washy · er · oscillation · on the fence · stammer · shilly-shally · avoidance · irresolution
hemmed and hawedcommitted
Firmly pledged or bound
took the plunge · bit the bullet · pulled the trigger · went for it
hemmed and hawedgot to the point
Reached the essence
cut to the chase · told it like it is · spit it out · called a spade a spade