Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence.

When the District Attorney asked the convict about details of the day of the crime, he started beating about the bush.

Speaking in a confusing manner without giving a correct answer

The most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence is speaking in a confusing manner without giving a correct answer.

The idiom "beating about the bush" means to avoid giving a direct answer to a question. It is often used to describe someone who is trying to be evasive or dishonest.

In the given sentence, the convict is being asked by the District Attorney about details of the day of the crime. However, the convict starts beating about the bush, meaning that he is avoiding giving a direct answer to the question.

The other options are incorrect:

• Being excessively aggressive: This is not the meaning of the idiom "beating about the bush."
• Accusing others of the crime: This is not the meaning of the idiom "beating about the bush."
• Trying to invoke sympathy: This can be the meaning of the idiom "beating about the bush," but it is not the most common meaning.