1 C1 idiomatic formal
To avoid addressing a subject directly; to speak evasively or with deliberate vagueness.
"The minister kept hedging around the question of budget cuts instead of giving a clear answer."
inseparable
hedge around
C1 formal inseparable transitive
To speak evasively or avoid committing to a direct answer about something.
In plain English
To talk around a subject without giving a straight answer.
What does "hedge around" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic formal
To surround a topic or issue with qualifications and conditions, making it difficult to pin down a clear position.
"The report hedged around the conclusion with so many caveats that readers were left confused."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To place a hedge (a row of bushes) all around something, enclosing it.
Actually means
To talk around a subject without giving a straight answer.
Usage tip
Often used in journalism and political commentary. Typically followed by a noun referring to an issue or topic ('hedge around the question'). More formal than 'beat around the bush'.
Words that pair with "hedge around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
issue question topic commitment answer problem
How to conjugate "hedge around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
hedge around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hedges around
he/she/it
Past simple
hedged around
yesterday
Past participle
hedged around
have + pp
-ing form
hedging around
continuous
Hear "hedge around" in the wild
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