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answer indirectly

[ˈænsər ɪnˈdɪrɛktli]
verb phrase
responder indiretamente
1. to reply to a question or statement in a way that avoids a direct response, often by being evasive or circumlocutory
When asked about his intentions, he chose to answer indirectly by discussing related topics instead.
Quando perguntado sobre suas intenções, ele escolheu responder indiretamente ao discutir tópicos relacionados.
2. to respond in a manner that implies or suggests an answer without stating it explicitly
She answered indirectly by raising her eyebrows, which everyone understood as a no.
Ela respondeu indiretamente levantando as sobrancelhas, que todos entenderam como um não.
NYC Slang
dodge the question / give someone the runaround
Synonyms
respond evasivelyhedgebeat around the bushgive an oblique answersidestep
Antonyms
answer directlyrespond straightforwardlygive a direct answer

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
responder indiretamente
standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
dar uma resposta enviesada
common colloquial variant
São Paulo
responder de forma indireta
formal business contexts
Portugal
responder indirectamente
standard European Portuguese spelling with 'c'

Related Idioms & Phrases

beat around the bush
dance around the subject
talk in circles
give someone the runaround
skirt the issue
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