Beat the Bushes for, To 🌲
Definition:
- To seek out assiduously. The term comes from hunting, in the days when beaters were employed to flush birds out for a hunting party, and has been used in its literal sense since the fifteenth century.
Related and Similar Terms:
- Hunt high and low: To search everywhere.
- Scour: To search thoroughly.
- Comb through: To search with meticulous attention to detail.
- Beat about the bush: (not to be confused) To avoid getting to the point.
Proverbs and Expressions:
- “Leave no stone unturned.” - Search thoroughly.
- “Knock on doors.” - Solicit or approach persistently.
Quotes:
- “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” – William Edward Hickson
- “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill
References in Literature and Art:
- Books: Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, where Holmes beats the bushes for clues.
- Songs: I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For by U2.
- Movies: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, where Indiana Jones leaves no stone unturned in his quest for the Holy Grail.
Inspirational Thought:
Life is like a treasure hunt, sometimes you need to beat the bushes to uncover the gems. Persist and you shall find what you seek.
### Which of these idioms means to search thoroughly?
- [x] Beat the bushes for
- [ ] Wait for a rainy day
- [ ] Dance around the subject
- [ ] Paint the town red
> **Explanation:** "Beat the bushes for" means to search thoroughly, originating from hunting practices. The other options don't involve searching.
### Choose the correct meaning of 'beat the bushes for':
- [x] To seek out assiduously
- [ ] To avoid responsibility
- [ ] To take a leisurely stroll
- [ ] To cook a gourmet meal
> **Explanation:** "Beat the bushes for" means to seek out assiduously. The term hails from historical hunting practices.
### True or False: 'Beat the bushes for' is originally a cooking term.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False. "Beat the bushes for" comes from hunting, where beaters would flush birds out.
### Which proverb matches the phrase 'beat the bushes for'?
- [x] Leave no stone unturned
- [ ] Rome wasn't built in a day
- [ ] Bite the bullet
- [ ] Cut to the chase
> **Explanation:** "Leave no stone unturned" matches "beat the bushes for," both implying a thorough search.
### Which of these acts depict searching everywhere?
- [ ] Reading a book quietly
- [x] Hunting high and low
- [ ] Taking a nap
- [ ] Singing in the shower
> **Explanation:** "Hunting high and low" depicts searching everywhere, which aligns with "beating the bushes for."
Cheers to your linguistic journey! Remember, the world’s best treasure hunters didn’t stop at the first bush. Keep seeking, and who knows what gems you’ll uncover next? 🌟
