闪烁其词

閃爍其詞
shǎnshuòqící
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 shǎnshuòqící, bù kěn 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 shǎnshuòqící, 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