答こたえを渋しぶる

expression, godan verb (-ru)

be reluctant to answer; hesitate to answer

Used when someone is unwilling or slow to give a direct answer, often due to embarrassment, guilt, or a desire to avoid the topic.

• 彼かれはその質しつ問もんに答こたえを渋しぶった。

  He was reluctant to answer that question.

• なぜ遅ち刻こくしたのかと聞きくと、彼かの女じょは答こたえを渋しぶった。

  When I asked why she was late, she hesitated to answer.