All hem and haw synonyms

verb hem and haw

• hesitate — to be reluctant or wait to act because of fear, indecision, or disinclination: She hesitated to take the job.
• shilly-shally — to show indecision or hesitation; be irresolute; vacillate.
• back and fill — to manoeuvre the sails by alternately filling and emptying them of wind to navigate in a narrow place
• beat around the bush — to talk around a subject without getting to the point
• beg the question — If you say that something begs a particular question, you mean that it makes people want to ask that question; some people consider that this use is incorrect.
• mince words — speak tentatively, tactfully