hint1 /hɪnt/ ●●○ noun [countableC] 1 SAYsomething that you say or do to suggest something to someone, without telling them directly 暗示 There have been hints that he may take up coaching. 他暗示过可能会出任教练。
‘Look, I can’t tell you.’ ‘Oh, come on, give me a hint.’ “听着,我不能告诉你。”“得了,给我一点暗示吧。”
hint about/as to Miles had been dropping heavy hints about the cost of petrol. 迈尔斯一直在露骨地暗示汽油的费用。
I made it clear I wasn’t interested in him, but he didn’t take the hint. 我清楚地表明我对他不感兴趣,但他不明白我的意思。
2 LITTLE/NOT MUCHa very small amount or sign of something 少许,微量;细微的迹象hint of ‘When?’ he asked with a hint of impatience. “什么时候?”他带着一丝不耐烦问道。
We shall have to turn back if there’s the slightest hint of fog. 只要有一丁点起雾的迹象我们就得往回走。
3 ADVISEa useful piece of advice about how to do something 有益的建议[指点] SYN tiphelpful/handy hints 有用的提示
hint on/about helpful hints on looking after houseplants 关于打理室内植物的好建议
n COLLOCATIONSverbsgive (somebody) a hintCome on, what is it? Give me a hint.
drop a hint (=give a hint)She was dropping quite a few hints about what she'd like for her birthday.
take a/the hint (=to understand a hint and act on it)Mark took the hint and shut up.
get the hint (=to understand a hint)I looked hopefully at the cake, but he didn't get the hint.
adjectivesa broad/strong/heavy hint (=one that is very easy to understand)He had dropped a heavy hint that they might get married.
a subtle/gentle hint (=one that is not very easy to understand – sometimes used ironically when someone is being very obvious)I'm sick of her subtle hints that I'm not welcome here.
a vague hint (=one that is not specific enough to understand)In his article, he gave only vague hints as to what he had actually done.
phrasesI can take a hint (=used when you understand someone's hint)All right, I can take a hint. I'm leaving.