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Meaning & use

drop a hint

phrase·Everydayinformal

Last updated

UK/ˌdrɒp ə ˈhɪnt/
US/ˌdrɑːp ə ˈhɪnt/

Meanings

  1. phraseidiominformal

    to say something indirectly so that someone understands what you want or what you are thinking, without asking or saying it directly

    Grammar: Used as a verb phrase. You drop a hint to someone, or drop a hint about something. The past tense is dropped a hint.

    Patterns

    • drop a hint to someone
    • drop a hint about something
    • drop a hint that ...

    She dropped a hint about wanting a new phone for her birthday.

    I dropped a hint to my boss that I would like more flexible hours.

    He kept dropping hints, but nobody understood what he meant.

  2. phraseidiominformal

    to suggest something in an indirect way, especially to test whether others agree or are interested

    Grammar: Often used when you want to see someone's reaction before saying something more directly.

    Patterns

    • drop a hint that ...
    • drop a few hints

    The company dropped a hint that prices might go up next year.

    She dropped a hint that she might be leaving her job.

Word forms

third person singulardrops a hint
past tensedropped a hint
past participledropped a hint
-ing formdropping a hint

Common combinations

drop a hint about something
He dropped a hint about the surprise party, but she didn't catch on.
drop a hint to someone
Can you drop a hint to your brother that we need help moving?
drop a hint that ...
She dropped a hint that she was not happy with the plan.
keep dropping hints
He kept dropping hints, hoping someone would offer him a ride.

Synonyms and how they differ

insinuate
More formal and often suggests something negative or unpleasant; 'drop a hint' is more neutral and everyday.
suggest
More direct and general; 'drop a hint' is always indirect and often playful or careful.
hint
Can be used alone as a verb ('He hinted that...'), but 'drop a hint' is a fixed phrase that sounds more casual and deliberate.

Word family

hint noun
A small piece of advice or a clue that helps you guess something.
hint verb
To suggest something indirectly.

Commonly confused: drop a hint or give a hint?

drop a hint vs give a hint

Also correct, but 'give a hint' often means providing a clue to help someone solve a puzzle; 'drop a hint' is more about suggesting something you want.

Practice

She wanted a new bike for her birthday, so she ______ to her parents.

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