hem and haw

• Колебаться, тянуть время или избегать прямого ответа; говорить неопределённо или нерешительно, часто издавая звуки вроде «хм» и «ну».

To hesitate, stall, or avoid giving a direct answer; to speak in a vague or indecisive manner, often by making sounds like 'hem' and 'haw'.

1. Hesitate or be indecisiveB2informalamerican

   To pause or hesitate when speaking, often because one is unsure or unwilling to give a direct answer.

   Мямлить или колебаться

   • When asked about his plans, he hemmed and hawed for a few minutes.
   • Stop hemming and hawing and just tell me what you think.
   • She hemmed and hawed before finally agreeing to the proposal.