Question

The Chairman advised the new recruits not to beat about the bush during client presentations.
(The idiom 'beat about the bush' means)

• A. To speak too loudly in public
• B. Avoid the main topic and speak indirectly
• C. Prepare extensively before speaking
• D. Use technical language unnecessarily

Hint:

Beat about the bush means to avoid saying something directly or to delay coming to the main point. Example: \[ \text{Stop beating about the bush and tell me the truth.} \]

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understand the idiom. The idiom beat about the bush means to avoid coming directly to the main point or to speak indirectly.

Step 2: Interpret the sentence. The Chairman advised the recruits not to beat about the bush while giving presentations. This means they should communicate clearly and directly without unnecessary or indirect discussion.

Step 3: Analyse the options.
• (A) To speak too loudly in public -- Incorrect. Loudness has no connection with the idiom.
• (B) Avoid the main topic and speak indirectly -- Correct. This is the exact meaning of the idiom.
• (C) Prepare extensively before speaking -- Incorrect. Preparation is unrelated to the idiom.
• (D) Use technical language unnecessarily -- Incorrect. The idiom refers to indirect speech, not technical vocabulary.

Step 4: Final conclusion. \[ \boxed{\text{Beat about the bush}=\text{avoid the main topic and speak indirectly}} \] Hence, the correct option is \(\boxed{(B)}\).