inkling

get an inkling (of something)

To obtain a basic, vague, or rudimentary knowledge or understanding (about something). Oh, don't worry, I got an inkling of how much this mistake is going to cost the company from the boss. I do speak a little Japanese, but I can't seem to get an inkling of what this woman is talking about. A: "I'm sorry, George and I just had a big fight." B: "Yeah, I got an inkling when you two would only talk to each other through me."
See also: an, get, inkling

give (someone) an inkling (of something)

To give someone a basic, vague, or rudimentary knowledge or understanding (about something). Oh, don't worry, the boss gave me an inkling of how much this mistake is going to cost the company. Even though I can speak a little Japanese, I needed the interpreter to give me an inkling of what the woman was talking about. Would you keep your voice down? I don't want to give the neighbors an inkling of our marital problems—do you?
See also: an, give, inkling

have an inkling (of something)

To have a basic, vague, or rudimentary knowledge or understanding (about something). Do you have an inkling of how much this mistake is going to cost the company? Even though I could speak a little Japanese, I didn't have an inkling what the woman was talking about. Would you keep your voice down? I don't want the neighbors to have an inkling of our marital problems—do you?
See also: an, have, inkling

inkling

A basic, vague, or rudimentary knowledge or understanding (about something). A: "Do you know where the car keys are?" B: "I haven't the foggiest inkling. Sorry." Do you have an inkling of how much this mistake is going to cost the company? Even though I could speak a little Japanese, I didn't have an inkling what the woman was talking about.

the foggiest inkling

A basic, vague, or rudimentary knowledge or understanding (about something). Often used in negative constructions. A: "Do you know where the car keys are?" B: "I haven't the foggiest inkling. Sorry." Do you have the foggiest inkling how much this mistake is going to cost the company? Even though I could speak a little Japanese, I didn't have the foggiest inkling what the woman was talking about.
See also: foggy, inkling
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*inkling (of something)

a hint about something that is to happen. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) The speeches gave us an inkling of what we could expect from the new president.

*inkling (of something)

a hint about something that is to happen. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) The speeches gave us an inkling of what we could expect from the new president.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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