闪烁其词

閃爍其詞
shǎnshuò-qící
idiom

Meanings

  1. 1 to speak evasively; to beat around the bush
  2. 2 to give vague, equivocal answers

Examples

Jìzhě wèn dào zījīn láiyuán, tā shǎnshuò-qící, bùkěn zhèngmiàn huídá.
When the reporter asked about the source of the funds, he answered evasively, refusing to address it directly.
Tā zài zhè jiàn shì shàng shǎnshuò-qící, ràng rén huáiyí tā zài yǐnmán shénme.
He was evasive about this matter, making people suspect he was hiding something.

Tips

memory
闪烁 literally means 'to flicker, twinkle' (like a flickering candle) - the words 'flicker' rather than landing clearly. Picture answers that flash by without really illuminating anything.
usage
Always implies suspicion - the speaker is dodging because they're hiding something. Compare with 含糊其辞 (vague but not necessarily deceptive).

Stroke Order

shǎn
shuò