# hem and haw

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/hem-and-haw
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To discuss, deliberate, or contemplate rather than taking action or making up one's mind.

## Examples

- Stop hemming and hawing and just make a decision.
- When the boss asked for a clear answer, the manager just hemmed and hawed for ten minutes.
- Rather than committing to the new strategy, the board members hemmed and hawed, clearly hoping to avoid the responsibility of a difficult choice.

## Origin

From *hem* + *and* + *haw*, imitative of the sounds made when clearing the throat or hesitating in speech.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.