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take a hint

Idioms  
  1. Also, take the hint. Accept an indirect or covert suggestion, as in Evelyn took the hint and quietly left the room. This idiom was first recorded in 1711.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

For seeming unable to take a hint, Judge Beetlestone risks a rebuke.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 22, 2025

I might take a hint and switch to a newly repairable Pixel.

From The Verge ● Apr. 9, 2022

Of course, not one to take a hint, Kelly felt the need to continue the feud she'd initiated, even after Osaka had opted for the high road and deleted her tweet and blocked Kelly.

From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2021

Speaking as a loyal Bruin alumnus, maybe Dan Guerrero will take a hint from Lynn Swann and likewise resign.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2019

He murped, then went to the edge of the overgrowth and stood there agitatedly, waiting for me to follow, glaring at me like I was an idiot who didn’t know how to take a hint.

From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer

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