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be indirect
[bi ɪnˈdɪrekt]
verb phrase
ser indireto
1.
to communicate or act in a way that is not straightforward or explicit; to avoid directly addressing something
He tends to be indirect when discussing his feelings.
Ele tende a ser indireto quando discute seus sentimentos.
2.
to take a roundabout or circuitous route or approach
The path was indirect, winding through the forest.
O caminho era indireto, sinuoso através da floresta.
NYC Slang
beat around the bush, dance around it
Synonyms
be evasive
be roundabout
be circuitous
be oblique
beat around the bush
Antonyms
be direct
be straightforward
be explicit
be blunt
be frank
Regional Variations
General Brazilian
ser indireto
commonly used in both formal and informal contexts
Portugal
ser indireto
standard usage, may also say 'andar à volta' colloquially
São Paulo
ser indireto
standard metropolitan Portuguese
Related Idioms & Phrases
beat around the bush
go around in circles
take the long way around
speak in circles
dance around the subject
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