unimaginative answer

[/ˌʌnɪˈmædʒɪnətɪv ˈænsər/]
noun phrasepl: unimaginative answers
resposta sem imaginação
1. A response to a question or prompt that lacks creativity, originality, or thoughtfulness; a conventional or predictable reply
His unimaginative answer to the interview question showed he hadn't prepared well.
Sua resposta sem imaginação à pergunta da entrevista mostrou que ele não havia se preparado bem.
2. A dull, formulaic, or uninspired response that fails to demonstrate independent thinking
The student gave an unimaginative answer that merely repeated what was in the textbook.
O aluno deu uma resposta sem imaginação que apenas repetiu o que estava no livro didático.
In both American and Brazilian educational contexts, unimaginative answers are often criticized as evidence of insufficient effort or lack of critical thinking. In job interviews and academic settings, both cultures value creative and thoughtful responses as indicators of intelligence and engagement.
NYC Slang
a boring/weak answer; 'that's a cop-out response'
Synonyms / Sinônimos
bland answerdull responsepredictable answergeneric replyuninspired answerconventional responsetrite answer
Antonyms / Antônimos
creative answerimaginative responseoriginal answerinnovative replythoughtful response

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
resposta sem imaginação
Standard and widely understood across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
resposta chata
More colloquial; uses 'chata' (boring/annoying)
São Paulo
resposta entediante
Emphasizes tedious nature of the response
Portugal
resposta pouco criativa
Portuguese prefers 'pouco criativa' (not very creative) phrasing

Related Words

imaginativecreativityoriginalitythoughtfulnessinspirationdullnesspredictability

Related Idioms & Phrases

play it safe with an answer
give a textbook answer
phone it in
take the easy way out
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