口风 (kǒu fēng) — one's real intention or stance as revealed (often indirectly) through speech; a hint or clue inadvertently given in conversation
Definition
口风 refers to what someone reveals (or tries to hide) in speech — their real stance, or a slip that gives a hint. Used with 露, 探, 紧 to mean let slip, sound out, and keep tight.
noun
one's real intention or stance as revealed (often indirectly) through speecha hint or clue inadvertently given in conversation
Examples
- 口风，。Tā xiǎng tàn tàn tā de kǒu fēng, kàn tā tóng bù tóng yì.He wanted to sound her out to see if she agreed.
- 口风，。Tā shuō huà shí bù xiǎo xīn lù le kǒu fēng, jié guǒ dà jiā dōu zhī dào le.He carelessly let something slip while talking, and in the end everyone found out.
- 口风，。Tā de kǒu fēng hěn jǐn, shuí wèn yě bù shuō.She is very tight-lipped; no matter who asks, she won't say.
Appears in
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