闪烁其词

shǎn shuò qí cí

to hedge; to speak evasively

Character by character

闪shǎn
flash

烁shuò
flicker

其qí
one’s

词cí
words

记者追问细节，发言人却闪烁其词，不肯正面回答。

When reporters pressed for details, the spokesperson hedged and would not give a straight answer.

Tone: negative (criticism).

Close to 含糊其辞 (vague) and 支支吾吾 (hemming and hawing). The opposite is 直言不讳, speaking without holding back.

Learn this in Lesson 111 · HSK 7–9: 绕着说 (Talking around it online)

A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.