当被问到为什么迟到时，他开始支支吾吾，而不是直接回答。

When asked why he was late, he started to ___prevaricate instead of giving a direct answer.

当被问及项目延误的原因时，经理支支吾吾地回避了问题。

The manager ___prevaricated when asked about the reason for the project delay.