indirect answer
noun phraseUK /ˌɪndaɪˈrekt ˈɑːnsə/
US /ˌɪndəˈrekt ˈænsər/
An indirect answer is a reply that does not say yes or no clearly.
When I asked if he ate the cookie, he gave an indirect answer and talked about how hungry he was.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A response that hints at the truth instead of stating it plainly.
Her indirect answer suggested she knew more than she was telling.
3. A reply that avoids a direct question by changing the subject.
He gave an indirect answer about the test and started talking about lunch.
4. A polite or careful reply used to soften bad news.
The teacher's indirect answer let the student down gently.