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noncommittal reply

[/ˌnɒnkəˈmɪtəl rɪˈplaɪ/]
nounpl: noncommittal replies
resposta evasiva
1. A response that avoids making a clear statement, taking a definite position, or revealing one's true thoughts or intentions
When asked about his plans, he gave a noncommittal reply that left everyone confused.
Quando perguntado sobre seus planos, ele deu uma resposta evasiva que deixou todos confusos.
2. An answer that is deliberately vague, ambiguous, or neutral to avoid commitment or controversy
Her noncommittal reply suggested she was still undecided about the proposal.
Sua resposta evasiva sugeriu que ela ainda estava indecisa sobre a proposta.
NYC Slang
noncommittal answer; dodge; brush-off
Synonyms
evasive answervague responseambiguous replyhedged responseguarded answerneutral comment
Antonyms
direct answerclear responsestraightforward replydefinitive statementcommitmentexplicit answer

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
resposta evasiva
Most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese
São Paulo
resposta vaga
Commonly used in business contexts
Portugal
resposta evasiva
Standard usage in European Portuguese
General
resposta ambígua
Alternative formal translation emphasizing ambiguity

Related Idioms & Phrases

give someone the runaround
beat around the bush
dodge the question
sit on the fence
play it cool
neither here nor there
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