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oblique answer

[/əˈbliːk ˈænsər/]
nounpl: oblique answers
resposta indireta
1. An answer that does not directly address the question asked; a response that is evasive, indirect, or ambiguous
When asked about his involvement, he gave an oblique answer that left everyone confused.
Quando questionado sobre seu envolvimento, ele deu uma resposta indireta que deixou todos confusos.
2. A reply that hints at or suggests something without stating it plainly
Her oblique answer suggested she knew more than she was willing to admit.
Sua resposta indireta sugeriu que ela sabia mais do que estava disposta a admitir.
NYC Slang
dodge; beataround the bush
Synonyms
indirect answerevasive answerambiguous answerroundabout answerveiled response
Antonyms
direct answerstraightforward answerexplicit answerclear response

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
resposta indireta
most common usage
General Brazilian
resposta evasiva
emphasizes evasion aspect
Portugal
resposta enviesada
common in European Portuguese
Portugal
resposta indirecta
traditional spelling used in Portugal

Related Idioms & Phrases

beat around the bush
talk in circles
avoid the issue
give someone the runaround
skirt the question
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