Example: Il a critiqué à mots couverts les décisions du gouvernement.
Definition
"À mots couverts" is a French expression meaning to say something indirectly or subtly, often to criticize or convey a message without stating it openly. It implies speaking in a veiled manner to avoid direct confrontation or explicitness.
Translations
Indirectly
Con indirectas
Bedekt / tussen de regels door
Amb indirectes
Durch die Blume
Etymology
The expression "À mots couverts" literally translates to 'with covered words' in English. It comes from the idea of 'covering' or hiding the true meaning behind words, suggesting that the speaker is not expressing thoughts openly but rather in a concealed or coded way.
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"À mots couverts" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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Indirectly