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# inoperative statement

phrase (noun phrase: an inoperative statement; the earlier statements are inoperative)

«inoperative statement» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

(euphemism, official, US) a statement that is now admitted to be false, said without using the word «lie».

### In the lessons

Made famous by a spokesman for President Nixon, who called earlier untrue statements «inoperative» during a scandal. Since then it is used, often mockingly, for officials taking back false claims. Register: official, political, mostly quoted with irony; US.

### Examples

- The press secretary said his earlier remarks were an inoperative statement.
- Critics laughed at the phrase «inoperative statement».
- News: The company's earlier denial is now an inoperative statement.
- Chat: «inoperative statement» is the fanciest way to say «we lied»
- The history teacher used «inoperative statement» as an example of political spin.
- Officials did not apologise; they just called the old claim inoperative.

### Note

«Inoperative» normally means a machine or rule does not work; here it means the statement was false. It hides the word «lie». Plain words: a false statement, a lie.