à mots couverts

Elle a critiqué le projet à mots couverts.
She criticized the project in veiled terms.
Ils ont discuté de l'échec à mots couverts devant les enfants.
They discussed the failure obliquely in front of the children.
Le rapport accuse la direction à mots couverts.
The report accuses management by implication.
Le ministre a évoqué sa démission à mots couverts.
The minister hinted at his resignation indirectly.
Il lui a parlé du danger à mots couverts.
He spoke to her about the danger in veiled terms.

Similar words

en termes voilés

à demi-mot

indirectement

par allusions

Elle a critiqué le projet à mots couverts.
She criticized the project in veiled terms.
Le ministre a évoqué sa démission à mots couverts.
The minister hinted at his resignation indirectly.
Il lui a parlé du danger à mots couverts.
He spoke to her about the danger in veiled terms.
Le rapport accuse la direction à mots couverts.
The report accuses management by implication.
Ils ont discuté de l'échec à mots couverts devant les enfants.
They discussed the failure obliquely in front of the children.

à demi-mot

par allusions

en termes voilés

indirectement

The words are figuratively “covered”, so the intended meaning is partly hidden.

What does à mots couverts mean?

It means by hints rather than direct words.

Is the message fully stated?

No, listeners must infer part of it.

Can it soften criticism?

Yes, criticism may be expressed indirectly.

Is mots singular?

No, it is always plural in this expression.

How is it pronounced?

It is pronounced /a mo kuvɛʁ/.

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