The Collaborative International Dictionary
hemming and hawing
Haw \Haw\, v. i. To stop, in speaking, with a sound like haw; to speak with interruption and hesitation.
Cut it short; don't prose -- don't hum and haw.
--Chesterfield.
hemming and hawing speaking hesitantly and inarticulately, with numerous pauses and interjections.
Wiktionary
hemming and hawing
vb. (present participle of hem and haw English)
Usage examples of "hemming and hawing".
After much hemming and hawing and consultation with the men in the automobile, Mr.
After some hemming and hawing (Mom's term), she took me up on my offer.
Snow Goose shucked her backpack and came to stand over him, hemming and hawing.
Once we got past the hemming and hawing, I realized she was asking my permission.