English Expressions for Things That Aren't Said Directly
"Subtle" is an adjective that means "indirect or not obvious" — and there are plenty of situations when being subtle is the safest thing to do.
This article will introduce some of the most common English expressions and vocabulary related to indirect communication. We've also included some example sentences to help you learn how they're used in real conversations.
Idioms About Subtlety
Read the room
Meaning: understand the mood of the people in a space
Read the room to avoid making jokes at an inappropriate moment.
(Read) the writing on the wall
Meaning: understand that something is happening or will happen soon
The "writing on the wall" is information that hasn't been said clearly but is (or should be) obvious. This idiom is common in business situations.
The writing's on the wall; AI will revolutionize our industry and we need to be prepared for it.
Catch a vibe [informal]
Meaning: sense the feeling of a person or a space
I caught a really bad vibe from John just now. What's wrong with him?
She has a very positive vibe about her and is always pleasant to talk to.
"Vibe" can also refer to a unique environment that has been created through decoration, music, etc. This is generally used in a positive and casual way.
Last night's concert was such a vibe. Everyone had a great time.
Written all over (someone’s) face
Meaning: emotions that are clear from a person's facial expressions
Even if someone doesn't speak, it can often be easy to understand how they feel by "reading" the look on their face.
You like her, don't you? It's written all over your face.
Beat around the bush
Meaning: avoid mentioning or acting on a certain topic directly
This idiom generally has a negative nuance because it's associated with wasting time.
We don't have time to beat around the bush. Let's discuss the problem so we can find a solution.
Related article: Idioms and Expressions Related to Trees
Read between the lines
Meaning: use context to understand something that hasn't been said
The space between the lines on a page is where nothing is written. But sometimes, things that aren't written are more important than the things that are!
The ability to read between the lines can be a powerful skill in negotiation.
Broach a topic
Meaning: carefully mention a sensitive subject or issue
Some topics require more care than others, so they must be mentioned, or "broached," at the right time and in the right way.
Jesse wasn't sure of how to broach the topic of Sam's illness.
Unwritten rules
Meaning: standard rules that aren't clearly written or spoken
When everyone has silently agreed that a certain way of doing things is correct — even when those ideas were never clearly explained — they're following "unwritten rules."
Jake broke one of the unwritten rules of the culture when he stuck his chopsticks upright in his bowl of rice.
Understood
Meaning: known and agreed upon
Similar to unwritten rules, something “understood” is accepted as correct even if no one says it directly.
It was understood that Kevin would be the leader of the project.
Related Vocabulary
The following adjectives are useful for describing actions or manners that aren't direct or obvious. Some are positive while others have a negative nuance.
Sneaky / Cunning [negative]
While "cunning" can be positive in some cases, "sneaky" always sounds negative.
That team has never been scared to use sneaky tactics to win.
The cunning salesman convinced his customers to buy expensive items they didn't need.
Understated [neutral-positive]
He usually has a calm and understated personality, but when he drinks, he’s like a totally different person!
Tactful [positive]
How can I tell him in a tactful way that his report needs to be improved?
Related article: What Does it Mean to "Soften" Your Language?
Wrap-up
Effective subtlety requires skill and understanding — but it's a very important part of communication, no matter if the context is formal or casual.
If you'd like to practice using these expressions — or any others — in a real conversation, book a private lesson with Engoo. Engoo tutors come from nations around the world and are ready to help you 24 hours a day. Give it a try!
