hem and haw

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They didn’t hem and haw as if they were conflicted about their damning testimony and betrayed no hint of empathy born from the shared stresses and dangers of police work.

From Washington Post • Apr. 6, 2021

Most real estate TV quests are partially faked; many times, the couples have already bought the home they pretend to hem and haw over before choosing it in the end.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2021

“People hem and haw and they say, ‘I should suck this up,’” Ms. Bonior said.

From New York Times • Nov. 5, 2019

Amid all the door-knocking last weekend, most of what voters did was hem and haw.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 24, 2015

I was sure Miss Lacey was going to take it away, but she continued to hem and haw.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu