something that you say or do in an indirect way in order to show somebody what you are thinking 暗示；提示；示意 He gave a broad hint (= one that was obvious) that he was thinking of retiring. 他几乎明示他正在考虑退休。 Should I drop a hint (= give a hint) to Matt? 我应该给马特一点暗示吗？ He resented any hint that he might be to blame. 他对任何暗示他可能会受到责备的暗示都很反感。
Extra ExamplesHe gave a broad hint that he was on the verge of leaving. 他明确地示意他即将离开。 I dropped a few subtle hints about the payment being due. 我几次含蓄地暗示该到期付款了。 Is that a hint to me to leave? 那是在暗示要我离开吗？ OK, I get the hint! 好的，我明白你的意思了！ a hint from my boss about my absences from the office 老板暗示我数次旷工
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- big
- broad
- clear
- …
- drop
- give (somebody)
- catch
- …
- hint about
- hint from
- hint to
- …
something that suggests what will happen in the future 征兆；迹象 At the first hint of trouble, they left. 他们一发现有点不妙的迹象就离开了。 The opening scene gives us a hint of things to come. 开场给了我们一个即将发生的事情的暗示。
Extra ExamplesTopics Suggestions and advicec1There were early hints that their marriage might be in trouble. 很早就有迹象表明他们的婚姻可能会有问题。 At the first hint of trouble, I will call the police. 一有风吹草动，我就报警。 That was the first hint we had that things were going wrong. 那是我们发现事情出了差错的第一个征兆。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- big
- broad
- clear
- …
- drop
- give (somebody)
- catch
- …
- hint about
- hint from
- hint to
- …
- [usually singular] hint (of something)
a small amount of something 少许；少量 a hint of a smile 一丝笑意 There was more than a hint of sadness in his voice. 他的声音中流露出了深切的悲伤。 The walls were painted white with a hint of peach. 墙壁粉刷成了略呈桃红的白色。 Gail searched his face for the slightest hint of regret. 盖尔在他脸上寻找一丝后悔的迹象。
Extra ExamplesDo I detect a hint of jealousy in your voice? 我怎么觉得你的声音里透出一丝嫉妒呢？ He showed not a hint of remorse. 他没有显露出一丝懊悔之意。 Her voice betrayed a hint of uneasiness. 她的声音中透出一丝不安。 She felt the first hint of panic as the train pulled into the station. 火车进站的那一剎那，她感到一丝恐慌。 The slightest hint of gossip upset her. 一两句闲话都会搅得她心烦意乱。 a dish with a strong hint of garlic 一盘蒜味很重的菜肴 ‘It won't take long,’ he persisted, without the slightest hint of apology. “不会太久的，”他坚持说，没有丝毫道歉的迹象。 There was a hint of amusement in his voice. 他的声音里透出一丝快乐。 He vowed that no hint of scandal would ever be attached to him. 他发誓永远不与丑闻沾边。 Her eyes held a hint of mockery. 她的眼里带着一丝嘲弄。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- strong
- barest
- faint
- …
- detect
- notice
- sense
- …
- hint of
- at the first hint of something
- [usually plural] hint (on something)
a small piece of practical information or advice 秘诀；窍门 handy hints on saving money 省钱妙诀 The teacher’s book gives useful hints on how to develop reading skills. 老师的书对如何发展阅读技巧给出了有用的提示。
Extra ExamplesTopics Suggestions and advicec1It gives handy hints about what to buy at the local market. 它给出了在当地市场买什么的便捷提示。 The book gives some useful hints about how to plan your garden. 这本书在如何设计自家花园方面提供了一些有用的建议。 a book full of handy hints on painting and decorating 一本为绘画和装饰提供大量实用指南的书
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- handy
- helpful
- practical
- …
- give (somebody)
- offer (somebody)
- hint about
- hint on
Word Originearly 17th cent. (in the sense ‘occasion, opportunity’): apparently from obsolete hent ‘grasp, get hold of’, from Old English hentan, of Germanic origin; related to hunt. The basic notion is “something that may be taken advantage of”.
Idioms
take a/the hint
to understand what somebody wants you to do even though they tell you in an indirect way 领会某人的暗示