hint
noun /hɪnt/
/hɪnt/
Idioms - something that you say or do in an indirect way in order to show somebody what you are thinking
- He gave a broad hint (= one that was obvious) that he was thinking of retiring.
- Should I drop a hint (= give a hint) to Matt?
- He resented any hint that he might be to blame.
Extra Examples- He gave a broad hint that he was on the verge of leaving.
- I dropped a few subtle hints about the payment being due.
- Is that a hint to me to leave?
- OK, I get the hint!
- a hint from my boss about my absences from the office
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- big
- broad
- clear
- …
- drop
- give (somebody)
- catch
- …
- hint about
- hint from
- hint to
- …
- something that suggests what will happen in the future synonym sign
- At the first hint of trouble, they left.
- The opening scene gives us a hint of things to come.
Extra ExamplesTopics Suggestions and advicec1- There were early hints that their marriage might be in trouble.
- At the first hint of trouble, I will call the police.
- That was the first hint we had that things were going wrong.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- big
- broad
- clear
- …
- drop
- give (somebody)
- catch
- …
- hint about
- hint from
- hint to
- …
- [usually singular] hint (of something) a small amount of something synonym suggestion, trace
- a hint of a smile
- There was more than a hint of sadness in his voice.
- The walls were painted white with a hint of peach.
- Gail searched his face for the slightest hint of regret.
Extra Examples- Do I detect a hint of jealousy in your voice?
- He showed not a hint of remorse.
- Her voice betrayed a hint of uneasiness.
- She felt the first hint of panic as the train pulled into the station.
- The slightest hint of gossip upset her.
- a dish with a strong hint of garlic
- ‘It won't take long,’ he persisted, without the slightest hint of apology.
- There was a hint of amusement in his voice.
- He vowed that no hint of scandal would ever be attached to him.
- Her eyes held a hint of mockery.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- strong
- barest
- faint
- …
- detect
- notice
- sense
- …
- hint of
- at the first hint of something
- [usually plural] hint (on something) a small piece of practical information or advice synonym tip
- handy hints on saving money
- The teacher’s book gives useful hints on how to develop reading skills.
Extra ExamplesTopics Suggestions and advicec1- It gives handy hints about what to buy at the local market.
- The book gives some useful hints about how to plan your garden.
- a book full of handy hints on painting and decorating
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- handy
- helpful
- practical
- …
- give (somebody)
- offer (somebody)
- hint about
- hint on
Word Originearly 17th cent. (in the sense ‘occasion, opportunity’): apparently from obsolete hent ‘grasp, get hold of’, from Old English hentan, of Germanic origin; related to hunt. The basic notion is “something that may be taken advantage of”.
Idioms
take a/the hint
- to understand what somebody wants you to do even though they tell you in an indirect way
- I thought they'd never go—some people just can't take a hint.
- Sarah hoped he'd take the hint and leave her alone.
- Can't you take a hint and leave me alone?