{"id":8633,"date":"2025-07-28T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/?p=8633"},"modified":"2025-07-23T02:25:46","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T02:25:46","slug":"indirect-english","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/indirect-english\/","title":{"rendered":"English Expressions for Things That Aren't Said Directly"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/indirect-english\/#Idioms_About_Subtlety\" >Idioms About Subtlety&nbsp;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/indirect-english\/#Read_the_room\" >Read the room<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/indirect-english\/#Read_the_writing_on_the_wall\" >(Read) the writing on the wall<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/indirect-english\/#Catch_a_vibe_informal\" >Catch a vibe [informal]<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/indirect-english\/#Written_all_over_someones_face\" >Written all over (someone&#8217;s) face<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/indirect-english\/#Beat_around_the_bush\" >Beat around the bush<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/indirect-english\/#Read_between_the_lines\" >Read between the lines<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/indirect-english\/#Broach_a_topic\" >Broach a topic<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/indirect-english\/#Unwritten_rules\" >Unwritten rules<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/indirect-english\/#Understood\" >Understood<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/indirect-english\/#Related_Vocabulary\" >Related Vocabulary<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/indirect-english\/#Sneaky_Cunning_negative\" >Sneaky \/ Cunning [negative]<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/indirect-english\/#Understated_neutral-positive\" >Understated [neutral-positive]<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/indirect-english\/#Tactful_positive\" >Tactful [positive]<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/indirect-english\/#Wrap-up\" >Wrap-up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>\"<a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/app\/words\/word\/subtle\/zga0ELstQmCjlQAAAALEtA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Subtle<\/a>\" is an adjective that means \"indirect or not obvious\" \u2014&nbsp;and there are plenty of situations when being subtle is the safest thing to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Idioms_About_Subtlety\"><\/span><strong>Idioms About Subtlety&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Read_the_room\"><\/span><strong>Read the room<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14085054\/subtlety_in_english_1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A seated woman showing something on her laptop to a large group of people gathered around her\" class=\"wp-image-11305\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14085054\/subtlety_in_english_1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14085054\/subtlety_in_english_1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14085054\/subtlety_in_english_1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14085054\/subtlety_in_english_1-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14085054\/subtlety_in_english_1-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: understand the mood of the people in a space<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Read the room<\/strong> to avoid making jokes at an inappropriate moment.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Read_the_writing_on_the_wall\"><\/span>(<strong>Read) the writing on the wall<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: understand that something is happening or will happen soon<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>The writing's on the wall<\/strong>; <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/engoo\/improve-your-self-study-with-our-new-ai-tools\/\">AI<\/a> will revolutionize our industry and we need to be prepared for it.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Catch_a_vibe_informal\"><\/span><strong>Catch a vibe [informal]<\/strong> <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14084956\/subtlety_in_english_2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A small group of people with musical instruments gathered on a terrace at night\" class=\"wp-image-11304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14084956\/subtlety_in_english_2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14084956\/subtlety_in_english_2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14084956\/subtlety_in_english_2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14084956\/subtlety_in_english_2-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14084956\/subtlety_in_english_2-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: sense the feeling of a person or a space<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I <strong>caught a really bad vibe<\/strong> from John just now. What's wrong with him?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>She <strong>has a very positive vibe<\/strong> about her and is always pleasant to talk to.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\"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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Last night's concert was such <strong>a vibe<\/strong>. Everyone had a great time.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Written_all_over_someones_face\"><\/span><strong>Written all over (someone&#8217;s) face<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: emotions that are clear from a person's facial expressions<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if someone doesn't speak, it can often be easy to understand how they feel by \"reading\" the look on their face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>You like her, don't you? It's <strong>written all over your face<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Beat_around_the_bush\"><\/span><strong>Beat around the bush<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: avoid mentioning or acting on a certain topic directly<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This idiom generally has a negative nuance because it's associated with wasting time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>We don't have time to <strong>beat around the bush<\/strong>. Let's discuss the problem so we can find a solution.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Related article: <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/idioms-and-expressions-related-to-trees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Idioms and Expressions Related to Trees<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Read_between_the_lines\"><\/span><strong>Read between the lines<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14084813\/subtlety_in_english_3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Two businesspeople negotiating while seated on a couch in a fancy room\" class=\"wp-image-11303\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14084813\/subtlety_in_english_3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14084813\/subtlety_in_english_3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14084813\/subtlety_in_english_3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14084813\/subtlety_in_english_3-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14084813\/subtlety_in_english_3-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: use context to understand something that hasn't been said<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The space between the lines on a page is where nothing is written. But sometimes, things that <em>aren't<\/em> written are more important than the things that are!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The ability to <strong>read between the lines<\/strong> can be a powerful skill in negotiation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Broach_a_topic\"><\/span><strong>Broach a topic<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: carefully mention a sensitive subject or issue<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some topics require more care than others, so they must be mentioned, or \"broached,\" at the right time and in the right way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Jesse wasn't sure of how to <strong>broach the topic<\/strong> of Sam's illness.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Unwritten_rules\"><\/span><strong>Unwritten rules<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: standard rules that aren't clearly written or spoken<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When everyone has silently agreed that a certain way of doing things is correct \u2014 even when those ideas were never clearly explained \u2014 they're following \"unwritten rules.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Jake broke one of the <strong>unwritten rules<\/strong> of the culture when he stuck his chopsticks upright in his bowl of rice.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understood\"><\/span><strong>Understood<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: known and agreed upon<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similar to unwritten rules, something \u201cunderstood\u201d is accepted as correct even if no one says it directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>It was <strong>understood<\/strong> that Kevin would be the leader of the project.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Vocabulary\"><\/span><strong>Related Vocabulary<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sneaky_Cunning_negative\"><\/span><span><strong style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Sneaky \/ Cunning [negative]<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14084732\/subtlety_in_english_4-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A dishonest businessman with a sly smile\" class=\"wp-image-11302\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14084732\/subtlety_in_english_4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14084732\/subtlety_in_english_4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14084732\/subtlety_in_english_4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14084732\/subtlety_in_english_4-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/14084732\/subtlety_in_english_4-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>While \"cunning\" can be positive in some cases, \"sneaky\" always sounds negative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>That team has never been scared to use <strong>sneaky<\/strong> tactics to win.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The <strong>cunning<\/strong> salesman convinced his customers to buy expensive items they didn't need.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understated_neutral-positive\"><\/span><strong>Understated [neutral-positive]<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>He usually has a calm and <strong>understated<\/strong> personality, but when he <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/bottoms-up-english-expressions-for-drinking\/\">drinks<\/a>, he\u2019s like a totally different person!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tactful_positive\"><\/span><strong>Tactful [positive]<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>How can I tell him in a <strong>tactful<\/strong> way that his report needs to be improved?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Related article: <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/what-does-it-mean-to-soften-your-language\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">What Does it Mean to \"Soften\" Your Language?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wrap-up\"><\/span><strong>Wrap-up<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Effective subtlety requires skill and understanding \u2014 but it's a very important part of communication, no matter if the context is formal or casual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you'd like to practice using these expressions \u2014 or any others \u2014 in a real conversation, book a private lesson with <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Engoo<\/a>. Engoo tutors come from nations around the world and are ready to help you 24 hours a day. Give it a try!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\"Subtle\" is an adjective that means \"indirect or not obvious\" \u2014&nbsp;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...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":432,"featured_media":8634,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"unified_meta_tagline_field":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,6],"tags":[71,29,58],"class_list":["post-8633","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-work","category-language-tips","tag-advanced-english","tag-idioms","tag-other-ways-to-say"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>English Expressions for Things That Aren&#039;t Said Directly | Engoo Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In both casual and formal situations, lots of communication happens silently. But how do you express these ideas in English?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/indirect-english\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"English Expressions for Things That Aren&#039;t Said Directly | Engoo Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In both casual and formal situations, lots of communication happens silently. 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