Definition

1. Idiom (figurative expression):
   • To be secretive, evasive, or deliberately ambiguous: To act in a way that hides one's true intentions, plans, or information, often by giving only partial or vague hints. It describes behavior that is neither fully open nor completely closed.
   • To be non-committal or to beat around the bush: To avoid giving a direct, clear answer or making a definite statement.

Usage Examples

• Idiom:
  • Anh ta trả lời úp úp mở mở, không cho biết ý định thực sự. (He answered evasively, not revealing his real intention.)
  • Đừng có úp úp mở mở nữa, hãy nói thẳng anh muốn gì đi. (Stop being so ambiguous, just say directly what you want.)
  • Công ty vẫn úp úp mở mở về kế hoạch mở rộng. (The company is still being non-committal about the expansion plan.)

Advanced Usage

• This idiom is often used to criticize or express frustration towards someone's lack of transparency. It implies a calculated or manipulative withholding of information.
• It can describe the nature of communication, such as a conversation, an announcement, or a negotiation.

Variants and Related Words

• Úp mở (idiom): A shorter, more common variant with the same meaning: to be ambiguous or to hint at something without stating it clearly.
  • Thái độ úp mở của anh ấy khiến mọi người nghi ngờ. (His ambiguous attitude makes everyone suspicious.)

Synonyms

• To be evasive: To avoid giving a direct answer.
• To be ambiguous: Open to more than one interpretation; not clear or definite.
• To be non-committal: Not expressing or revealing commitment to a definite opinion or course of action.
• To beat around the bush: To avoid talking about what is important.

Related Idioms

• Nói nửa lời: To speak half-words; to be intentionally incomplete or cryptic in speech.
  • Cô ấy chỉ nói nửa lời, úp úp mở mở về chuyện đó. (She only spoke in half-words, being secretive about that matter.)
• Giấu đầu hở đuôi: To hide the head but show the tail; to do a poor job of hiding something, leaving clues exposed. This relates to unsuccessful secrecy, whereas "úp úp mở mở" describes the act of being secretive itself.