wink-wink
Unspoken mutual understanding
Wink-wink signals that something said should be understood as ironic, knowing, or conspiratorial—as if accompanied by an actual wink.
Often paired with nudge-nudge, from the Monty Python sketch about suggestive innuendo: It's just a "business meeting," wink-wink.
The phrase flags that the speaker doesn't expect to be taken at face value.
Possessing awareness or insight
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- suggestiveHinting at impropriety
- implicationIndirect suggestion or consequence
- unspokenNot verbally expressed
collusion · conspiracy · secret · understanding · hint · subtext · insinuation · coded
Hasty informal drawing
- catchphraseSignature line of words
- parodySatirical imitation
- satireMockery exposing vice
- double-entendreWords with suggestive second meaning
comedic · tongue-in-cheek · ironic · absurdist · quotable · skit · ribald · cheeky
Hiding wrongdoing from public
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- charadeAbsurd or obvious pretense
- shamFraudulent imitation
front · loophole · technicality · unofficial · under-the-table · backroom · corruption · kickback
knowing
Possessing awareness or insight
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- suggestiveHinting at impropriety
- implicationIndirect suggestion or consequence
unspoken · collusion · conspiracy · secret · understanding · hint · subtext · insinuation · coded · sly
sketch
Hasty informal drawing
- catchphraseSignature line of words
- parodySatirical imitation
- satireMockery exposing vice
double-entendre · comedic · tongue-in-cheek · ironic · absurdist · quotable · skit · ribald · cheeky · lampoon
cover-up
Hiding wrongdoing from public
sham · front · loophole · technicality · unofficial · under-the-table · backroom · corruption · kickback · bribery
wink-winksincere
Genuinely felt, not feigned
genuine · earnest · straightforward · literal · honest
wink-winkexplicit
Clearly and directly expressed
overt · transparent · aboveboard · open · on the record
wink-winkofficial
Authority-sanctioned person or status
formal · on the level · serious · on the record · solemn