take the hint
Read the room
To take the hint is to understand an indirect message and act accordingly.
Hints are suggestions that stop short of explicit statement, so taking one means picking up on what's implied: I mentioned how late it was, and thankfully he took the hint and left.
Often appears in the negative: She kept talking—clearly she wasn't taking the hint.
Idea proposed for consideration
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
- allusionIndirect reference to something
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- implicationIndirect suggestion or consequence
subtlety · overtone · undertone · connotation · unspoken · coded language · subtext · between the lines
Grasp the meaning
- graspSeize or understand
- get itUnderstand, often informally
- catch onGrasp or gain popularity
- realizeBecome aware of
perceive · discern · twig · cotton on · register · recognize · infer · read the room
Sensitivity in speech
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- reading the roomPerceiving social cues accurately
- social cueUnspoken behavioral prompt
body language · tone · cold shoulder · brush-off · awkward silence · eye roll · sigh · turned back
Instinctive sense about something
- instinctInnate behavioral tendency
- hunchUnproven inner sense
- inklingSlight, uncertain awareness
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
sense · vibe · feeling · premonition · sixth sense · trust your gut · writing on the wall · warning sign
Sanctioned time away
- back offStop pressing someone
- exitWay to leave
- withdrawRemove or pull away
- step awayTemporarily leave a situation
bow out · make an exit · time to go · not wanted · unwelcome · cold reception · wrapping up · winding down
suggestion
Idea proposed for consideration
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
- allusionIndirect reference to something
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
implication · subtlety · overtone · undertone · connotation · unspoken · coded language · subtext · between the lines · oblique reference
understand
Grasp the meaning
realize · perceive · discern · twig · cotton on · register · recognize · infer · read the room · pick up on
tact
Sensitivity in speech
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- reading the roomPerceiving social cues accurately
social cue · body language · tone · cold shoulder · brush-off · awkward silence · eye roll · sigh · turned back · forced smile
gut feeling
Instinctive sense about something
suspicion · sense · vibe · feeling · premonition · sixth sense · trust your gut · writing on the wall · warning sign · red flag
leave
Sanctioned time away
step away · bow out · make an exit · time to go · not wanted · unwelcome · cold reception · wrapping up · winding down · don't let the door hit you
take the hintmiss the point
Fail to understand essence
turn a blind eye · play dumb · brush it off · miss the memo · plow ahead
take, hint, takes, taken, taking, taker, takers, hints, hinted