hum and haw
Dither before speaking
To hum and haw is to hesitate or stall, making vague sounds instead of giving a clear answer.
The phrase captures those throat-clearing noises people make when they're uncertain or reluctant to commit: She hummed and hawed about whether to accept the job offer.
Also appears as hem and haw, with hem replacing hum.
- hesitatePause in uncertainty
- ditherNervous inability to choose
- stammerSpeak with involuntary repetitions
- clear one's throatCough to speak up
- vacillateWaver between choices
sit on the fence · on the fence · pause · mumble · equivocate · waffle · second-guess · indecision · procrastinate · stall for time · falter · hold back · shilly-shally · ambivalence · mutter · lost for words · fidget · prevaricate
hum and hawdecide
Reach a conclusion
commit · make up one's mind · take the plunge · resolve · choose
hum and hawspeak plainly
speak one's mind · spit it out · cut to the chase · lay it on the line · tell it like it is
hum and hawact
Deed or performance
forge ahead · plunge in · go for it · jump in · take action