ne aq, ne qara demezge
/ne aq, ne qara demezɡe/
Literal translation
to say neither white nor black
Intended meaning
To keep completely silent and give no reply of any kind, refusing to commit oneself one way or the other.
- Sovet onow ete turub da, ne aqdı, ne qaradı demey, eşitgenin da eşitmegen kibik etib turdu.Even while the council was deliberating, he said neither white nor black and went on acting as if he had not heard what he heard.
- Elbek atasına ne aq, ne qara dep juwap qaytarmadı.Elbek gave his father no answer, saying neither white nor black.
Variants
- ne aqdı, ne qaradı
- ne aq, ne qara dep
Sources
Show sources
- Къарачай-малкъар тилни фразеология ангылатма сёзлюгю (2017), p. 363
- Малкъар тилни школ фразеология сёзлюгю (1994), PDF page 292