Read the room

[1013] Drop a hint

🎲 Take a hint
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • To make an indirect or subtle suggestion about something you want, think, or know, without stating it directly.

Origin

  • Drop suggests casually letting something fall or be known.
  • A hint is an indirect clue or suggestion.
  • The phrase means to casually offer a subtle clue.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Suggest indirectly/subtly
  • Imply
  • Allude to
  • Insinuate (can carry a negative connotation of slyness)
  • Give a clue
  • Signal (less common for subtle wants)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Hint hint, nudge nudge (often said playfully alongside/after the hint)
  • Put feelers out (test the waters, gauge reaction subtly)
  • Planting a seed (subtly introduce an idea hoping it grows)

Milder/Standard:

  • Suggest subtly
  • Imply gently
  • Allude to
  • Make an indirect suggestion

Situational Appropriateness

  • Very common in informal and semi-formal contexts. Used when directness feels inappropriate, impolite, or premature.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • The primary risk is the hint being too subtle and thus missed entirely. Learners should understand it's inherently indirect.

Examples

  • I've been dropping hints about wanting that watch for my birthday.
  • She dropped a hint that she might be looking for a new job.
  • He kept yawning, dropping hints that he wanted us to leave.

Dialogue

Chris: My laptop is getting really slow and old.

Dana: Oh dear.

Chris: Yeah, really slow... *especially* when trying to run modern software... you know, like the kind needed for those online courses I mentioned... (clears throat)

Dana: (Laughing) Are you dropping hints for your upcoming birthday?

Chris: Maybe just a little!

Social Media Examples

  • Tweet: My coffee machine just died. *cough* @SignificantOther *cough*. Guess I'm dropping hints for Valentine's Day! 😉 #hinthint #coffeeaddict
  • Post: Continuously posting pictures of sunny beaches... just dropping hints to the universe (and my boss) that I need a vacation. 🌴☀️
  • Comment: When you kept mentioning how cold your office is, were you dropping a hint that you wanted my spare heater?

Response Patterns

  • Asking about reception: Did they take the hint? (See #1014)
  • Clarifying intent: Are you dropping a hint that you want me to...?
  • Describing the action: I think she was dropping a hint.
  • Suggesting the action: Maybe just drop a hint instead of asking directly.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • The person dropping the hint observes if the recipient understands and acts on it.
  • If the hint isn't picked up, they might drop a stronger hint or become more direct.
  • The recipient might ask for clarification if unsure (What are you trying to say?).

Conversation Starter

  • No. Describes the action of indirect suggestion.

Intonation

  • Stress on drop (or dropping) and hint(s).
  • I keep DROPPING HINTS.
  • Often said with a slightly playful or hopeful tone.

Generation Differences

  • Widely used and understood by all generations.

Regional Variations

  • Standard across all major English-speaking regions.
Read the room
🎲 Take a hint