When a topic of conversation is uncomfortable, or we have to ask a really big favor of someone, oftentimes we’ll approach the situation very indirectly, trying to “build up” to actually saying what needs to be said.  This delaying tactic is called “beating around the bush”; i.e., talking about everything related to the main topic without touching the main topic itself.  This can be a cause for confusion or irritation on the part of the listener, who may finally tell the speaker to stop and just say it already!

­-David, you know that project you were speaking about the other day?  Well, I was talking with Frank and he is of the opinion that perhaps we might want to possibly reconsider the budget…

-Bill, stop beating around the bush!

-David, we need more money.