Subtext

Subtext is what a scene is really about beneath its dialogue. Characters often hide their true feelings out of pride, fear, or strategy, and the audience understands the gap between what is said and what is meant.

Dialogue without subtext is called "on the nose," one of the most common coverage notes. Techniques for writing subtext include giving characters reasons to hide what they feel, letting surface topics carry deeper conflict, and contrasting words with action.

See writing subtext for examples.