take the hint: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘take the hint’ mean?
The idiom "take the hint" means to understand an indirect or subtle message. It implies recognizing an unvoiced suggestion or signal and acting accordingly.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "you know what" is used as a phrase that often indicates that the speaker is trying to avoid saying something explicitly, assuming the listener already knows or will understand the unspoken message.
The idiom "take the bait" means to fall for a trick or deception, often by reacting exactly as the trickster desires, thus becoming trapped or manipulated.
The idiom "take something as read" means to accept something as true or already understood, without further explanation or proof.
The idiom "take something as it comes" means to accept a situation or event without trying to control or change it. It implies a willingness to adapt and deal with circumstances as they unfold.
The idiom "take someone's word for it" means to believe or trust what someone says without requiring further proof or evidence.
The idiom "take one's chance" means to seize or accept an opportunity or risk without knowing the outcome. It implies a willingness to try despite the uncertainty or potential for failure.
The idiom "take occasion" means to seize or make use of an opportunity or favorable circumstance. It implies the action of recognizing and utilizing a specific event or situation to one's advantage.
The idiom "take no notice of" means to ignore or pay no attention to something or someone. It implies a deliberate act of not acknowledging or responding to a particular situation, remark, or individual.
The idiom "take no for an answer" means to refuse to accept someone's refusal or rejection of something. It implies persistent determination and unwillingness to give up on a desired outcome.
The idiom "take lightly" means to not take something seriously or to underestimate its importance or impact.
Cracking Subtle Cues
Take the hint is an English idiom that dates back to the early 19th century. The idiom is commonly used to convey the message that someone should understand or infer an indirect suggestion or indication.
The literal meaning of take the hint is to grasp or understand the subtle message being implied or suggested. It implies that the recipient of the hint is expected to recognize and act upon the suggestion without any further explicit or direct communication.
Take the hint is commonly used in situations where someone is trying to convey a message without explicitly stating it, often due to politeness, social norms, or the desire to avoid confrontation. It can be seen as a way of indirectly telling someone to stop doing something, change their behavior, or alter their approach to a certain situation.
One example of using take the hint could be in a situation where someone repeatedly makes advances or expresses romantic interest towards another person who is not interested. The person being pursued might drop subtle clues or hints to indicate their lack of interest, such as avoiding eye contact or giving short responses. If the pursuer fails to take these hints and continues with their behavior, someone else might say to them, "Can't you take the hint? She's just not into you."
The idiom take the hint can also be used in a broader sense to refer to situations where someone is not able to understand or accept a more general suggestion or indication. It implies the need to be perceptive and receptive to more subtle forms of communication, rather than relying solely on explicit statements or instructions.
Take the hint is an English idiom that conveys the message of understanding and acting upon an indirect suggestion or implication. The idiom emphasizes the importance of being sensitive to non-verbal cues and recognizing the need for adjustment based on subtle indications.
drop a hint is another idiom that is closely related to take the hint. It means to indirectly suggest or allude to something without explicitly stating or asking for it. It is often used when someone wants to subtly convey a message or give a gentle suggestion.
get a clue is yet another related idiom that shares a similar meaning to take the hint. It is used to tell someone that they need to understand or recognize something that is obvious to others. It implies that the person is not being perceptive or aware of the situation at hand.
When someone drops a hint, they expect the recipient to pick up on the implied message without the need for further explanation. If someone fails to get the hint, it can be frustrating for the person dropping the hint, as they may feel like their message is not being understood or acknowledged.
In social situations, dropping a hint can be a way to express a desire or preference without explicitly stating it. For example, if a person wants to leave a party early, they might drop a hint by saying something like, "I'm feeling pretty tired. I might head home soon." They expect others to pick up on the hint and understand that they are ready to leave.
In the workplace, dropping a hint can be a way to suggest a different approach or offer subtle feedback. For example, if a coworker consistently interrupts during meetings, a manager might drop a hint by saying, "It would be helpful if we could all take turns speaking and actively listen to each other." The manager expects the coworker to get the hint and change their behavior.
On the other hand, if someone fails to get a clue, it means they are not understanding or recognizing something that should be obvious. It can be used to express frustration or exasperation with someone who is not perceptive or aware of what is happening around them.
Using the idiom get a clue often implies that the person is not paying attention or is willfully ignoring something that is obvious to others. It can be seen as a direct way of telling someone that they need to wake up to the reality of a situation and make necessary adjustments.
For example, if a person consistently arrives late to work even after being reprimanded multiple times, a supervisor might say, "You really need to get a clue and start showing up on time. It's affecting the team's productivity." The supervisor expects the employee to finally understand and take action to improve their punctuality.
The idiom take the hint is commonly used to convey the message of understanding and acting upon an indirect suggestion or implication. It originated from the verb form of hint and is commonly used in social and personal contexts. The idiom emphasizes the importance of being sensitive to non-verbal cues and recognizing the need for adjustment based on subtle indications. Drop a hint and get a clue are related idioms that share a similar meaning to take the hint, highlighting the significance of understanding and recognizing indirect messages in various situations.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *take the hint* can be used in a sentence:
- After several failed attempts at asking her out, he finally took the hint and stopped pursuing her.
- She kept yawning and checking her watch during the meeting, trying to make her colleagues take the hint that she was not interested in what was being discussed.
- When he noticed his friends avoiding the topic, he took the hint and stopped bringing up the embarrassing incident from the past.
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