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What does “drop a hint” mean?
Meaning, example sentence and a quick practice question.
B2
To suggest something indirectly rather than saying it outright
“He kept dropping hints about the surprise party.”
From the B2 lesson Reading Between the Lines (honest communication).
Quick check
What does “drop a hint” mean?
Teaching this phrase?“drop a hint” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, three exercises, speaking tasks and an answer key, in Everyday English Chunks B2 Pack 4 (Communication, Decisions and Habits).
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Related phrases
- read between the linesto understand a meaning that isn't stated directly
- get your point acrossto make sure other people understand what you're trying to say
- beat around the bushto avoid saying something directly, usually because it's difficult
- straight to the pointdirect, without unnecessary details
- a heart-to-heartan honest, personal conversation, often about feelings
- break the newsto tell someone important information, often bad news
- speak your mindto say openly and honestly what you really think
- put it bluntlyto say something in a very direct, sometimes blunt, way
- keep someone in the darkto deliberately not tell someone information