be vague

/biː veɪɡ/
phraseIntermediate
informal

To be unclear or imprecise in speech or writing, often intentionally to avoid giving specific details or to create ambiguity.

He was being vague about his plans for the weekend.

She gave a vague answer when asked about her future plans.

💡

This phrase is often used to describe someone who is deliberately or unintentionally unclear in their communication.

Collocations

be deliberately vagueto intentionally avoid giving clear detailsbe intentionally vagueto purposefully leave something unclear

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

beat around the bushidiom
to avoid saying something directly
dodge the questionphrase
to avoid answering a question directly

💡Pro Tip

Avoid being vague

When communicating, strive to be clear and specific to avoid misunderstandings.

Gold Rule

Clarity in communication

Being vague can lead to confusion, so it's important to be as clear as possible in your speech and writing.

📖Word Origin

Derived from the adjective 'vague,' which comes from the Latin 'vagus,' meaning 'wandering' or 'uncertain.'

📝Usage Notes

This phrase is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe communication that lacks clarity or specificity.

Word Breakdown

be
to exist or occur
verb
+
vague
lacking clarity or precision
adjective
English Dictionary