stonewaller
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A person who stonewalls: A stonewaller is someone who deliberately delays, obstructs, or refuses to answer questions or cooperate, often by employing evasive tactics such as giving lengthy, irrelevant speeches.
Usage
- The term "stonewaller" is used to describe a person, typically in a formal, political, or investigative context, who is uncooperative and intentionally impedes progress or the flow of information.
- It is a derivative of the verb "to stonewall."
Examples
- Noun:
- The committee grew frustrated with the witness, who was a notorious stonewaller.
- During the negotiation, he acted as a stonewaller, refusing to address any of the key points directly.
Advanced Usage
- Political/Procedural Context: Often used to describe politicians, officials, or witnesses who use procedural tactics to avoid giving straight answers.
- The senator was accused of being a stonewaller, filibustering to prevent the bill from coming to a vote.
Variants and Related Words
- Stonewall (verb): To delay or obstruct by refusing to answer questions or cooperate.
- The administration continued to stonewall the investigation.
- Stonewalling (noun): The act or practice of stonewalling.
- The stonewalling by the company's lawyers prolonged the case for years.
Synonyms
- Obstructor: One who hinders or blocks progress.
- Delayer: One who causes a postponement or slowdown.
- Filibusterer (specific to legislative contexts): A legislator who gives long speeches to delay proceedings.
Related Idioms/Phrases
- To give someone the runaround: To evade someone's questions or requests. (This describes similar evasive behavior but is less formal than "stonewalling.")
- Instead of a clear answer, the customer service agent gave me the runaround.
Noun
- one who stonewalls or refuses to answer or cooperate; someone who delays by lengthy speeches etc.