オブラートに包つつむ

expression, godan verb (-mu)

to say indirectly; to sugarcoat; to cushion the blow

Idiomatic expression meaning to phrase something gently or indirectly to avoid hurting someone's feelings. The literal meaning is 'to wrap in wafer paper', which is the image behind the idiom.

• 彼かれは批ひ判はんをオブラートに包つつんで伝つたえた。

  He conveyed the criticism in a roundabout way.

• 悪わるい知しらせはオブラートに包つつんで話はなしたほうがいい。

  It's better to break bad news gently.