That answer gets me out of a prickly situation, but I know that I've avoided the essence of the question.

这样的回答通常能够让我在现场脱离困境，但是，我知道，我实际上绕过了问题的实质。

youdao

The problem statement should include a question that captures the essence of the problem, for example: "should we use SSL behind the Web servers?"

问题陈述应包括一个抓住问题实质的问题，例如：“我们应在Web服务器后使用SSL吗？”

youdao

The abstract ontological question with universal meaning is firstly the question of subject definition, but its essence is a theory about purposes and objects.

抽象的具有普适意义的本体论问题，首先是个匡定学科领域问题，实质是关于研究目的和对象的理论。

youdao

It gets to the essence of the question of who is best equipped to educate ? future generations of citizens and civic leaders.

这探触到问题的本质,到底谁最适合教育未来的,后代公民及公民领袖。

耶鲁公开课 - 政治哲学导论课程节选

But here comes the Klaus question: if speed is of the essence, should EU governments that want to see the Lisbon Treaty ratified give Mr Klaus what he wants at the October summit?

ECONOMIST: European politics

Convergence, in essence, is a question of the costs to the British economy of having the same short-term interest rates as the euro-zone.

ECONOMIST: The single currency

In essence, the question is whether the hatred of Muslims is enough to endanger freedom of religion and international understanding, or whether it is a radical but legitimate expression of opinion by individual authors within the limits of the constitution.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Germany Cracks Down on Critics of Mega-Mosque