mysterious answer

[/mɪˈstɪriəs ˈænsər/]
noun phrasepl: mysterious answers
resposta misteriosa
1. A response or reply that is unclear, cryptic, or difficult to understand; an answer that raises more questions than it resolves
The witness gave a mysterious answer to the detective's question, leaving everyone puzzled.
A testemunha deu uma resposta misteriosa à pergunta do detetive, deixando todos confusos.
2. An answer that contains hidden meaning or is intentionally vague
She offered only a mysterious answer about her whereabouts that night.
Ela ofereceu apenas uma resposta misteriosa sobre seu paradeiro naquela noite.
3. A reply that suggests secrecy or concealment of information
The CEO's mysterious answer regarding the merger sparked speculation among investors.
A resposta misteriosa do CEO sobre a fusão provocou especulação entre os investidores.
In both American and Brazilian contexts, a 'mysterious answer' often implies withholding information, whether intentionally or due to genuine uncertainty. In business and legal settings (particularly prominent in São Paulo's corporate culture), such answers may be scrutinized. In American media and literature, mysterious answers frequently drive narrative tension in mystery and thriller genres.
NYC Slang
sketchy answer / sus answer (informal, meaning suspicious or questionable)
Synonyms / Sinônimos
cryptic answerenigmatic answervague answerambiguous answerevasive answerobscure answer
Antonyms / Antônimos
clear answerstraightforward answerdirect answertransparent answerexplicit answer

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
resposta misteriosa
Standard usage throughout Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
resposta misteriosa
Common usage; may also hear 'resposta enigmática'
São Paulo
resposta misteriosa
Standard usage; business context often uses this phrase
Portugal
resposta misteriosa
Same usage as Brazilian Portuguese; sometimes 'resposta enigmática'

Related Words

mysteryenigmariddlepuzzlecrypticobscureambiguousevasive

Related Idioms & Phrases

speak in riddles
read between the lines
mystery wrapped in an enigma
keep one's cards close to one's chest
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