give someone to understand
To tell someone, especially indirectly; to insinuate.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He gave me to understand that the meeting was cancelled.”
“The manager gave us to understand that layoffs might happen if the company does not improve its profits soon.”
“Although he never explicitly confirmed his resignation, his cryptic comments gave his colleagues to understand that he would be leaving the firm by the end of the month.”
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as if someone owns the place
Alternative form of like someone owns the place.
- 02
beat someone round the ears
To beat (a person) with blows about the head.
- 03
bless someone with
To give or bestow, as a gift from God.
- 04
bring someone to their knees
To defeat and make submit to orders.
- 05
call someone every name in the book
To call someone many abusive names.
- 06
call someone everything but a child of God
To call someone many abusive names.
- 07
catch someone napping
To take advantage of someone's inattention.
- 08
cry someone a river
To weep profusely or excessively in the presence of another person.
Last updated August 10, 2026