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REFERENCE

take the hint

idiom
Meaning

Concede to mounting evidence; wake up and smell the coffee.


Examples
SIMPLE

He keeps calling, but she refuses to take the hint.

CONTEXTUAL

I stopped replying to his messages, hoping he would finally take the hint and stop asking me out.

COMPLEX

Despite the increasingly cold reception from his colleagues, he failed to take the hint that his presence was no longer welcome at the weekly meetings.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    cross to take up

    Alternative form of cross to bear.

  2. 02

    drop a hint

    To reveal a clue or hint about something.

  3. 03

    forget to take one's medication this morning

    To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.

  4. 04

    give and take

    A process of compromise or accommodation.

  5. 05

    give someone an inch and someone will take a mile

    Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

  6. 06

    I take it

    Used to express one's understanding of another's position.

  7. 07

    Irish hint

    A very clear and unsubtle indication.

  8. 08

    kick ass and take names

    To beat someone in a competition, fight, or other situation.

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