Definition of Hem and haw

1. Verb. Utter 'hems' and 'haws'; indicated hesitation. "They hem and haw a long time"; "He hemmed and hawed when asked to address the crowd"

Generic synonyms: Hesitate, Pause

Definition of Hem and haw

1. Verb. (idiomatic) (US) To discuss, deliberate, or contemplate rather than taking action or making up one's mind. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Hem And Haw

helpworthy
helsinki declaration
helter
helter-skelter
helter-skelters
helters
helve
helved
helvella
helves
helving
helvite
hem
hem-
hem-line
hem and haw
hem in
hemachate
hemachates
hemachrome
hemacite
hemacyanin
hemacytometer
hemacytometers
hemadromometer
hemadromometry
hemadsorption
hemadynamics
hemadynamometer
hemadynamometers

Literary usage of Hem and haw

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Modern American Poetry by Louis Untermeyer (1921)
"hem and haw Hem and Haw were the sons of sin, Created to shally and shirk; Hem lay 'round ... Hem and Haw."

2. Modern American Poetry by Louis Untermeyer (1921)
"hem and haw Hem and Haw were the sons of sin, Created to shally and shirk; Hem lay 'round and Haw looked on While God did all the work. Hem was a fogy, ..."

3. A Satire Anthology by Carolyn Wells (1905)
"hem and haw HEM and Haw were the sons of sin, Created to shally and shirk; Hem lay 'round, and Haw looked on, While God did all the work. Hem was a fogy, ..."

4. Modern American Poetry: An Introduction by Louis Untermeyer (1919)
"Now living at New Canaan, Ct.] hem and haw Hem and Haw were the sons of sin, Created to shally and shirk; Hem lay 'round and Haw looked on While God did all ..."

5. Poets of the Younger Generation by William Archer (1902)
"hem and haw Hem and Haw were the sons of sin, Created to shally and shirk; Hem lay 'round and Haw looked on While God did all the work. ..."

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