English verb: hem and haw | |||
| 1. | hem and haw (communication) utter `hems' and `haws'; indicated hesitation | ||
| Samples | He hemmed and hawed when asked to address the crowd. | ||
| Examples | They hem and haw a long time | ||
| Pattern of use | Somebody ----s | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | hesitate, pause | ||