roundabout answer

USAGE SUMMARY

"roundabout answer" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a reply that covers a lot of ground without directly addressing the question. For example, "When I asked him why he had missed the deadline, he gave me a roundabout answer about dealing with too many tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

This, then, would seem to be the Redskins' roundabout answer.

The New York Times

Pressed to elaborate on how he had changed this season, he gave a roundabout answer, but there were insights nonetheless.

The New York Times - Sports

If you've ever wondered what Moonraker might have looked like had it been directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky, or what Robert Bresson would have made of Diamonds Are Forever, then a roundabout answer may just be in the offing.

The Guardian - Film

"If the Tea Party is for keeping government small and spending down, and helping us create jobs, then, hey, I'm for the Tea Party," Mr. Romney said in a roundabout answer to the question of whether he is a member of the conservative political movement.

The New York Times

Another area where LinkedIn could play in is the social enterprise communications arena, and when asked about the possibility of the network entering this space, Weiner gave a roundabout answer.

TechCrunch

"To be blunt, I created my own [reality]," was Asch's roundabout answer to Twersky's question.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Both swore Marquez was clean, but Angel gave roundabout answers when asked why he used different last names.

The New York Times - Sports

The connections made in "Photographic Memory" are more tentative than those found in Mr. McElwee's earlier films, which also seek answers in roundabout ways while maintaining an acute eye for light, color, space and atmosphere.

The New York Times

He ducked two roundabout inquiries with opaque answers and knowing smiles before he was hit with a blunt "Is Kim Jung Il in China these days or is he not?" "Up to this moment, I have no information to deny what you said," Mr. Kong said, again smiling, "but we don't have any authoritative information to confirm".

The New York Times

We only really get towards an answer in a roundabout way, when he says he opposes the idea of fixing a cap on the amount of interest companies can charge, because it would risk putting "responsible, regulated" organisations like his out of business, leaving the market open to illegal lenders.

The Guardian - Business

On a stretch of dying grassland between the football stadium and the main roundabout, one part of the answer is already rising from the ground: Amazon is building a mammoth new fulfilment center, the company's 13th in the U.K. It's set to open this year and the company claims it will eventually provide more than 1,500 jobs, alongside "the most advanced Amazon Robotics technology".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "roundabout answer" when you want to convey that someone is not being direct or is avoiding the main point in their response.

Common error

Avoid using "roundabout answer" when the response is simply irrelevant, not necessarily evasive. A "roundabout answer" still attempts to address the question, albeit indirectly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roundabout answer" functions as a noun phrase, where "roundabout" modifies the noun "answer". It describes the manner in which the answer is given, implying a lack of directness. Ludwig confirms its validity in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "roundabout answer" describes a response that isn't direct. Ludwig confirms that this is a correct expression. It is most frequently used in the context of News & Media. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure you're describing a response that genuinely attempts to address the question circuitously, rather than one that is simply irrelevant. Alternative phrases include “evasive response” or “indirect reply”. As shown in the provided examples, the expression is widely used to express the lack of clarity in a response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evasive response

Focuses on the intent to avoid directness in the reply.

indirect reply

Highlights the lack of directness in the response.

circuitous explanation

Emphasizes the winding and lengthy nature of the explanation.

vague response

Highlights the lack of clarity and precision in the response.

ambiguous reply

Focuses on the multiple possible interpretations of the response.

beating around the bush

An idiomatic phrase indicating avoidance of the main point.

dodging the question

Highlights the act of evading a direct answer.

skirting the issue

Suggests avoiding the core problem or topic.

equivocal statement

Emphasizes uncertainty or ambiguity in the declaration.

tergiversating response

A more formal term for evading a direct answer, implying shifting one's stance.

FAQs

How to use "roundabout answer" in a sentence?

You can use "roundabout answer" to describe a response that doesn't directly address the question, for example, "He gave a "roundabout answer" when asked about his plans for the future".

What can I say instead of "roundabout answer"?

Alternatives include "evasive response", "indirect reply", or "vague response", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when someone gives a "roundabout answer"?

It typically suggests the person is avoiding a direct or straightforward response, possibly due to discomfort, lack of knowledge, or a desire to conceal information.

Is it always negative to give a "roundabout answer"?

Not necessarily. Sometimes a "roundabout answer" may be used to provide context or background information before addressing the core question, although it can also be perceived as evasive.