The phrase "beating around the bush" means to avoid getting to the main point of a conversation or situation. There are several synonyms that can be used to express this behavior. One alternative phrase is "hemming and hawing," which refers to the act of speaking in a hesitant or evasive manner. Another option is "dodging the issue," which implies that someone is purposefully avoiding discussing the most important topic at hand. "Skirting the question" is another synonym that suggests someone is trying to avoid answering a particular inquiry. Regardless of the wording used, the behavior of beating around the bush can be frustrating and lead to misunderstandings.