evasive answer
2
8.2
- noun
- /ɪˈveɪsɪv ˈænsər/
- Jargon
- Since employee theft is so negatively evaluated, people likely provided untrue and evasive answers (Chaudhuri & Mukerjee, 1988).
- give evasive answers
- false and evasive answers
- evasive answers to questions
Examples
-
Does the possibility that he might actually have to answer something without giving a scripted and evasive answer actually terrify him that much?
Blog text (20) -
As a result, many people understandably gave evasive answers or simply said they did not know anything at all about San Gonzalo.
Academic text (1998) -
When he asks the staff about it, he gets odd evasive answers.
Fiction book (1998) -
Why do you think politicians give short, evasive answers?
Blog text (3) -
The only time evasive answers bother me is when they come from political candidates; we have a right to know about their character, their past.
Blog text (25) -
"What's up?" he asked, but Yura gave an evasive answer.
Fiction book (2000) -
Powell wasn't going to let him get away with evasive answers.
Academic text (2009) -
Emma takes in Steed's evasive answers.
Fiction book (1998) -
But actual lies are probably the most common evasive answer on cross-examination," said Angus.
Academic text (2010) -
When questioned about the incident, she provided an evasive answer that did not clarify her involvement.
Synonyms
6
6.6
An indirect statement that hides an unpleasant truth
1
8.6
A reply that seems to say no but avoids saying yes or no
1
7.7
Giving answers that avoid a clear solution and delay help
Antonyms
How Direct
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase 'evasive answer' is compositionally built from 'evasive' (avoiding clear answers) + 'answer' (a response), so its meaning as a response that avoids admitting or denying is directly derivable from the parts. This is a straightforward, cross-linguistically common combination, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the intended sense.
Etymology
Evasive answer comes from the picture of someone stepping aside to avoid a question: evasive means moving away and answer is the reply. So an evasive answer is a reply that does not clearly say 'yes' or 'no' and tries to avoid the main point.