In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the option that best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase Beat around the bush as used in everyday English communication.

Introduction / Context:
The idiom beat around the bush is commonly used in conversations, interviews, and written texts. It describes a style of communication where someone avoids speaking directly about the main topic, often because it is uncomfortable, sensitive, or difficult. Instead of addressing the central issue, the person speaks indirectly or talks about related minor points. This question checks your ability to recognise that indirect style of speaking from the given options.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Idiom: Beat around the bush.
• Context: Used when someone is expected to address a main point but does not do so.
• The options describe talking indirectly, gossiping, having fun, or ignoring hardships.
• Only one option should match the idiom's standard meaning.

Concept / Approach:
The phrase beat around the bush comes from hunting imagery, where someone beats bushes to make animals come out instead of going directly to the point. In language, it refers to avoiding the direct subject and speaking in a roundabout way. Option a states this clearly: treating a topic but omitting its main points, often intentionally. The other options describe gossip, enjoyment, or life philosophy, none of which match the idea of indirectness in communication.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that beat around the bush means to avoid getting to the main point. Step 2: Examine option a: To treat a topic but omit its main points, often intentionally. This matches the idea of avoiding the core issue. Step 3: Examine option b: Talk badly about a person in their absence, which describes gossip or backbiting, not indirect speech about a topic. Step 4: Examine option c: Spend a fun jovial time, which is closer to the idiom have a blast or enjoy oneself. Step 5: Examine option d: It is wise to ignore hardships and continue with your task, which describes persistence and has no link to indirect talking. Step 6: Conclude that option a is the only one that aligns with the idiom's meaning.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider a real life example: If a manager asks an employee why the project is late and the employee talks about the weather, office conditions, and general problems without mentioning actual reasons, the manager might say, Stop beating around the bush and come to the point. If you replace the idiom with option a, the sentence still makes sense: Stop treating the topic but omitting its main points. The other options do not fit this context at all.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b is wrong because it describes speaking ill of someone, which is a different behaviour altogether. Option c is wrong because the idiom does not refer to enjoyment or celebration. Option d is wrong because it describes an attitude of perseverance rather than a way of speaking. None of these reflect the central notion of avoiding the main subject during a conversation.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners mix up idioms that involve the word bush or beat, or they guess based on partial familiarity. Another pitfall is assuming that any negative sounding option might be correct without carefully connecting it to the idea of indirect communication. To master idioms, it is helpful to learn them with example sentences and to mentally visualise the situation where the idiom is used. For beat around the bush, always think of someone talking a lot but never answering the real question.

Final Answer:
The idiom Beat around the bush means to treat a topic but omit its main points, often intentionally, instead of speaking directly.