hint (redirected from taking the hint)

drop a hint

to suggest something indirectly to someone. I was hoping to see her again, so I dropped a hint, saying I wasn't doing anything this weekend.

See also: drop

take a hint

to understand or do something that is communicated indirectly. I can take a hint – if you don't want to talk about it, that's OK with me. “Weren't you going to check your messages?” she asked. I took the hint and left.

See also: take