no comment: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  International (English)formalneutral
  • An explicit refusal to provide information or to respond to a question, especially by officials or spokespeople.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Interrogé sur le scandale, le porte-parole a simplement répondu 'no comment'.

    When questioned about the scandal, the spokesperson simply replied 'no comment'.

  • Face aux accusations, le ministre a préféré un no comment plutôt que d’alimenter la polémique.

    Faced with accusations, the minister preferred to say no comment rather than fuel the controversy.

  • Lors de la conférence de presse, le PDG a maintenu un no comment sur les rumeurs de fusion.

    During the press conference, the CEO maintained a no comment on the merger rumors.

• 2.

  International (English)informal
  • A terse or ironic refusal to reply that may indicate embarrassment, disapproval, or a desire to avoid making an obvious retort.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Quand je lui ai demandé pourquoi il était en retard, il m’a lancé un no comment plein d’ironie.

    When I asked him why he was late, he gave me an ironic no comment.

  • Son no comment évident trahissait son embarras face à la situation délicate.

    His obvious no comment betrayed his embarrassment in the delicate situation.

  • Elle a préféré un no comment sec, évitant ainsi de répondre à une question gênante.

    She preferred a terse no comment, thus avoiding answering an awkward question.