be beating the bushes (for someone or something)
To be searching for someone or something exhaustively and at great length. I've been beating the bushes for a bigger apartment, but there's nothing out there I can afford!
be beating the bushes
AMERICANIf someone is beating the bushes, they are trying very hard to get or achieve something. Maybe Democratic leaders should be beating the bushes to register voters to support their nominee. He was tired of beating the bushes for work, and he did not want to ask for help or accept charity.