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circumlocutory manner

[ˌsɜːrkəmˈlɒkjətəri ˈmænər]
noun phrasepl: circumlocutory manners
forma circunlocutória; maneira circunlocutória
1. A way of speaking that uses many words to express something that could be said more directly; an indirect or roundabout manner of expression
He explained the situation in a circumlocutory manner, taking ten minutes to say what could have been said in one sentence.
Ele explicou a situação de forma circunlocutória, levando dez minutos para dizer o que poderia ter sido dito em uma frase.
2. A style of communication characterized by excessive verbosity and indirectness
The politician's circumlocutory manner frustrated the journalists who wanted direct answers.
A maneira circunlocutória do político frustrou os jornalistas que queriam respostas diretas.
Synonyms
roundabout mannerindirect mannerverbose mannerperiphrastic mannerevasive mannerwordy manner
Antonyms
direct mannerconcise mannerstraightforward mannerblunt mannersuccinct manner

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
forma circunlocutória; jeito indireto de falar
commonly used in formal and academic contexts
Portugal
forma circunlocutória; maneira perifrástica
more formal and literary usage
General
modo de expressão prolixo
alternative descriptor emphasizing verbosity

Related Idioms & Phrases

to beat around the bush
to speak in roundabouts
to take the long way around
falar pela boca de outro
dar muitas voltas
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