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お茶を濁す (おちゃをにごす) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-su)
evade questions ; beat around the bush ; give a vague answer
idiomatic expression
Used when someone avoids giving a clear answer or makes a noncommittal reply to dodge an issue. Often implies a deliberate attempt to obscure the truth or avoid responsibility.
Please stop evading the question and give a clear answer.
Kanji 濁 voiced, uncleanness, wrong Similar words ごまかす ごまかす means to deceive or cover up a mistake, often by lying or cheating. お茶を濁す is milder, focusing on evasive speech rather than outright deception.
はぐらかす はぐらかす means to dodge a question or topic, similar to お茶を濁す, but can be more direct in avoiding the subject. お茶を濁す often implies a vague or noncommittal reply.
Etymology Literally 'to make the tea cloudy'. The idiom originates from the tea ceremony, where a host might deliberately make the tea cloudy to hide its poor quality, metaphorically extending to evasive or vague speech.
