Idioms

um and ah

This page is about the idiom um and ah

British English

Meaning

If you "um and ah" you're having trouble deciding what to say, or you're having trouble telling somebody something.

For example

  • Stop umming and ahing and just tell me what happened!

  • James ummed and ahed for a while, but he eventually agreed to help us get the deal.

Variety

This idiom is typically used in British English but may be used in other varieties of English too.

Quick Quiz

Sharon always ums and ahs when she

a. has a sore throat

b. feels really good

c. can't make up her mind
a) has a sore throat b) feels really good c) can't make up her mind

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey