hum 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.

You can’t constantly hum and haw your chances or you’ll just never get out of that paralysis.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2021

To hum and haw; to hesitate in speech, also to delay, or be with difficulty brought to consent to any matter or business, HUMS.

From 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue by Grose, Francis

It had hit its mark, I knew, for the King began to hum and haw, and Diane gave me a look from those blue-black eyes of hers.

From Orrain A Romance by Levett-Yeats, S.

V. stammer, stutter, hesitate, falter, hammer; balbutiate†, balbucinate†, haw, hum and haw, be unable to put two words together. mumble, mutter; maud†, mauder†; whisper &c.

From Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases by Roget, Peter Mark

You know I'm in the right, and yet, like a cowardly attorney, at the first threat you hum and haw and bethink you about surrender.

From Two Sides of the Face Midwinter Tales by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir