闪烁其词 speak evasively
Explanation
形容说话躲躲闪闪，含糊其辞，不肯直言。
Describes someone who speaks evasively and ambiguously, avoiding direct answers.
Origin Story
县令要审问一个涉嫌偷盗的农夫。农夫面对县令的质问，闪烁其词，一会儿说自己那天不在家，一会儿说自己看到有人鬼鬼祟祟，一会儿又说自己记不清了。县令见他闪烁其词，知道他一定有所隐瞒，于是又仔细盘问，农夫终于承认了自己偷盗的事实。这个故事告诉我们，闪烁其词只会让事情更加复杂，最终真相总会大白于天下。
A county magistrate was interrogating a farmer suspected of theft. The farmer, when questioned by the magistrate, spoke evasively, sometimes saying he wasn't home that day, sometimes saying he saw someone acting suspiciously, and sometimes saying he couldn't remember. Seeing his evasiveness, the magistrate knew he was hiding something and interrogated him further. Finally, the farmer confessed to the theft. This story tells us that speaking evasively will only complicate matters; the truth will always come out.
Usage
作谓语、宾语；用于描写说话含糊不清，遮遮掩掩。
As predicate or object; used to describe someone speaking vaguely and evasively.
Examples
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他闪烁其词，不愿透露更多信息。
tā shǎnshuò qí cí, buyuàn tòulù gèng duō xìnxī。
He spoke evasively, unwilling to reveal more information.
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面对警方的质问，嫌疑人闪烁其词，企图蒙混过关。
miànduì jǐngfāng de zhìwèn, xiányí rén shǎnshuò qí cí, qǐtú ménghùn guòguān。
When questioned by the police, the suspect spoke evasively, trying to deceive them.
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他对记者闪烁其词，不愿正面回答问题。
tā duì jìzhě shǎnshuò qí cí, buyuàn zhèngmiàn huídá wèntí。
He answered the reporter evasively, unwilling to answer the question directly.