What is the meaning of hem and haw?

verb

  • Utter `hems' and `haws'; indicated hesitation.
    • usage: "He hemmed and hawed when asked to address the crowd"
WordNet 3.0 © 2006 by Princeton University
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APAWordNet. (2010). hem and haw. Retrieved September 23, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/hem_and_haw/definitions/1284633
ChicagoWordNet. 2010. "hem and haw" http://smartdefine.org/hem_and_haw/definitions/1284633 (accessed September 23, 2026).
HarvardWordNet 2010, hem and haw, Smart Define, viewed 23 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/hem_and_haw/definitions/1284633>.
MLAWordNet. "hem and haw" 23 October 2010. Web. 23 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/hem_and_haw/definitions/1284633>