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

Come now, my friend," was Lord Chesterfield's morning adjuration to his author;" come now, cut it short—don't prose—don't hum and haw.

From Biographical Essays by De Quincey, Thomas

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

"Oh, when a friend's at stake, I can't hum and haw," said Madeleine, who could never keep her temper with Dove for long.

From Maurice Guest by Richardson, Henry Handel