Stonewalling意思

"Stonewalling" is a term that comes from the political or diplomatic realm, where it refers to the act of refusing to cooperate or provide information, especially in a way that is designed to prevent progress or to hide something. The term is derived from the image of a stone wall, which is impenetrable and blocks any attempt to get through it.

In a broader sense, stonewalling can refer to any situation where someone or an organization is unresponsive, non-cooperative, or deliberately obstructive, often as a tactic to avoid accountability or to prevent the disclosure of sensitive information. It can be used in various contexts, including politics, business, and personal relationships.

For example, in a relationship, stonewalling might involve one partner refusing to communicate or engage with the other, effectively shutting down any attempt at dialogue or problem-solving. In a legal context, stonewalling might refer to a party refusing to comply with discovery requests or to answer questions during a deposition.

The term is often used negatively, implying that the person or organization engaging in stonewalling is being unethical or deceptive by withholding information or cooperation.