"Hummed And Hawed" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers
"Hummed and hawed" is an idiomatic expression that means to hesitate or be indecisive, typically when speaking. It describes the act of stuttering or making uncertain sounds as one struggles to make up their mind or find the right words to say.
1. When asked about his opinion on the new project, Tom hummed and hawed for a while before finally admitting he wasn't sure.
2. She hummed and hawed over which dress to wear to the party, going back and forth between two options.
3. The politician hummed and hawed when asked about his stance on climate change, avoiding a direct answer.
4. After being prompted to make a decision, John hummed and hawed so much that we ended up choosing for him.
5. In the job interview, the candidate hummed and hawed when questioned about her previous work experience, making it difficult to assess her qualifications.
The phrase "how old is she" is a question asking about a person's age, specifically the age of a female individual.
The phrase "how say you" is an old-fashioned way of asking "what do you say?" or "how do you express it?" It's typically not used in modern English conversation, but it can be found in literature or historical contexts.
The phrase "how would you know" is often used to question someone's basis for their claim or statement. It implies that the person being asked should provide evidence or an explanation for how they came to their knowledge or conclusion.
"Hue and cry" is an old-fashioned expression that refers to the act of raising an alarm or making a loud noise to chase after someone who has committed a crime or wrongdoing. It typically involves calling out for help or alerting others in the community to pursue a suspect. In modern usage, it can also refer to public outrage or a widespread complaint about something.
"Hum and haw" is an expression used to describe someone who is hesitant or unsure when speaking, typically when they are trying to decide how to express themselves or are reluctant to give a direct answer. It often involves pauses, stuttering, or making non-committal sounds like "um" or "ah."