“A thinly veiled message” refers to a message or communication that is not directly stated but is only partially concealed, making its meaning clear despite the attempt to hide it. The phrase suggests that the underlying message or intention is apparent, even though it is disguised or covered with a layer of subtlety. It implies that the speaker or writer has made an effort to obscure their true meaning, but the message is still easily recognizable. The term thinly veiled indicates that the concealment is not very strong, so the intended meaning can be easily perceived. In Indonesian, “pesan yang samar” or “pesan yang tertutup tipis” could capture the idea of a thinly veiled message.
Synonyms:
- Hidden message
- Subtle hint
- Oblique message
- Concealed meaning
- Implicit message
- Indirect communication
- Disguised message
- Underlying message
- Cloaked meaning
- Veiled suggestion
Example Sentences:
- His compliment was a thinly veiled message, suggesting she should work harder.
- She gave me a thinly veiled message about how she felt about the situation without saying it outright.
- The politician’s speech contained thinly veiled messages about the opposition, without directly naming them.
- The letter was a thinly veiled message of encouragement, but it clearly hinted at his doubts.
- His thinly veiled message about the company’s financial issues made it clear they were in trouble.
- The article was filled with thinly veiled messages criticizing the government’s policies.
- The comments were thinly veiled messages, hinting that he wasn’t happy with the decision.
- The CEO’s speech was a thinly veiled message that layoffs were coming.
- The email was a thinly veiled message, implying that the project was in jeopardy.
- She gave him a thinly veiled message about his tardiness, suggesting he might lose his job if it continued.
Related Words:
- Implicit
- Subtle
- Disguised
- Indirect
- Hidden
- Veiled
- Concealed
- Oblique
- Cloaked
- Innuendo
Related Phrasal Verbs:
- Hint at (to suggest or imply something indirectly, often in a thinly veiled message)
- Put across (to convey a message or meaning, sometimes in a subtle or indirect way)
- Read between the lines (to understand an underlying meaning or message that is not directly stated, like a thinly veiled message)
- Spell out (to make something clear or explicit, as opposed to sending a thinly veiled message)
- Point to (to indicate or suggest something indirectly, similar to a thinly veiled message)
- Drop a hint (to provide a subtle clue or suggestion, often as part of a thinly veiled message)
- Throw shade (to subtly insult or criticize someone, often in a thinly veiled message)
- Beat around the bush (to avoid directly addressing something, often giving a thinly veiled message in the process)
- Make clear (to clarify something, either overtly or through a thinly veiled message)
- Play it cool (to hide one’s true feelings or intentions, often delivering a thinly veiled message)
Idiomatic Expressions:
- Bite your tongue (to hold back something one wants to say, sometimes leading to a thinly veiled message)
- A double-edged sword (something that has both positive and negative aspects, sometimes conveyed through a thinly veiled message)
- A thin line (referring to something subtle, which may be the case when the message is thinly veiled)
- Read the writing on the wall (to interpret subtle signs or indications of something, like a thinly veiled message)
- In the fine print (something hidden in the details, similar to a thinly veiled message)
- Beat about the bush (to avoid coming to the point, often providing a thinly veiled message)
- Throw someone under the bus (to subtly or indirectly betray someone, often through thinly veiled messages)
- Passive-aggressive (acting indirectly to express negative feelings, often through thinly veiled messages)
- Keep something under wraps (to keep something hidden or secret, but sometimes revealed through thinly veiled messages)
- Between the lines (to understand the meaning beneath what’s being explicitly said, often with a thinly veiled message)
The phrase “a thinly veiled message” is commonly used when someone tries to communicate something indirectly, often to avoid direct confrontation, but the intention is still clear. While the message may be subtle or wrapped in euphemism, its meaning is usually easily discernible for those who are paying attention. This kind of communication is often used in delicate situations where a direct statement might be too harsh, but the need to express something important remains.
