mixed message

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

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Noun

mixed message (plural mixed messages)

1. (idiomatic) Any communication that is contradictory, inconsistent, or unclear, especially in its motive or intent.

   Don't you think it's sending a mixed message for the magazine to put "Lose Five Pounds in A Month" right next to "Ten Easy Desserts"?

   • 2021 October 11, Jan Hoffman, “Boosters Are Complicating Efforts to Persuade the Unvaccinated to Get Shots”, in The New York Times‎^[1], →ISSN:

     Of late, many who are wary of the vaccine say they have become more confused by what they see as mixed messages from federal health agencies and the White House.

See also

• double standard
• mixed signal
• oxymoron
• read between the lines