take a hint
idiom
: to understand what someone is suggesting when he or she says something in an indirect way
"I have a lot of work to do." "OK, I'll leave. I can take a hint."
Examples of take a hint in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Oh, blackheads—the tiny, stubborn dots that just won’t take a hint.
—
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 4 Feb. 2025
At this concrete plan, the man who can't take a hint finally gets into his car and leaves.
—Lincee Ray, EW.com, 29 July 2023
Engineers could take a hint from sharpshooters—the mechanisms used by the bugs could lead to better ways to remove water from electronic devices; for example, a smartwatch that can eject liquid through speaker vibrations.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2023
Headphones are a great way to keep from being the sounding board for your neighbor who can’t take a hint.
—Kristie Koerbel, New York Times, 24 May 2023
To make up for the lack of cabinetry, take a hint from this bathroom designed by Shari Francis and pop a basket beneath your vessel.
—Alyssa Longobucco, House Beautiful, 24 Oct. 2022
Maybe Dan Snyder can take a hint after all.
—Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2022
In an era when time is a luxury, take a hint from the glamour of yore and indulge in slow-moving, on-the-ground transport.
—Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 3 Jan. 2022
Here’s hoping maybe the Blue Bloods creators can take a hint and make one fan base very happy.
—Rebecca Norris, Country Living, 21 Aug. 2021
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Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 4 Feb. 2025
At this concrete plan, the man who can't take a hint finally gets into his car and leaves.
—Lincee Ray, EW.com, 29 July 2023
Engineers could take a hint from sharpshooters—the mechanisms used by the bugs could lead to better ways to remove water from electronic devices; for example, a smartwatch that can eject liquid through speaker vibrations.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2023
Headphones are a great way to keep from being the sounding board for your neighbor who can’t take a hint.
—Kristie Koerbel, New York Times, 24 May 2023
To make up for the lack of cabinetry, take a hint from this bathroom designed by Shari Francis and pop a basket beneath your vessel.
—Alyssa Longobucco, House Beautiful, 24 Oct. 2022
Maybe Dan Snyder can take a hint after all.
—Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2022
In an era when time is a luxury, take a hint from the glamour of yore and indulge in slow-moving, on-the-ground transport.
—Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 3 Jan. 2022
Here’s hoping maybe the Blue Bloods creators can take a hint and make one fan base very happy.
—Rebecca Norris, Country Living, 21 Aug. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Take a hint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20a%20hint. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
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