hint

allusion, sous-entendu

Parole ou geste qui fait comprendre une idée sans l’exprimer directement.

En anglais simple : Something said or done to suggest an idea without saying it directly.

• He didn’t take the hint.
• She dropped a hint about her birthday present.
• His glance at the clock was a hint that we should leave.

Comment l'utiliser : a hint that… (Was that a hint that you want us to leave?)

Synonymes : suggestion, signal

Expressions courantes : drop a hint, take the hint, a subtle hint

indice

Petite information qui aide à trouver une réponse ou à résoudre un problème.

En anglais simple : A small piece of information that helps you find an answer or solve a problem.

• Can I have a hint?
• The teacher gave us hints to solve the puzzle.
• That last hint helped me guess the answer.

Comment l'utiliser : a hint about something (Can you give me a hint about the answer?)

Synonymes : clue, tip

Expressions courantes : give a hint, a helpful hint, hint about something

soupçon, touche, trace

Quantité infime de quelque chose, ou signe très discret de sa présence.

En anglais simple : A very small amount or slight sign of something.

• The soup has a hint of garlic.
• I noticed a hint of a smile.
• There wasn’t a hint of doubt in his reply.

Comment l'utiliser : a hint of something (There was a hint of anger in her voice.)

Synonymes : trace, touch, suggestion

Expressions courantes : a hint of, hint of lemon, hint of sadness

insinuer, laisser entendre

Faire comprendre quelque chose sans le dire directement.

En anglais simple : To suggest something without saying it directly.

• She hinted that she wanted some help.
• He has hinted at leaving his job.
• Are you hinting that I should pay?

Comment l'utiliser : hint that… (He hinted that he might move abroad.); hint at something (She hinted at a change of plans.)

Synonymes : suggest, imply, allude

Expressions courantes : hint at something, hint to someone, hint that something, hint a suspicion

à bon entendeur, je dis ça

Se dit pour attirer l’attention de quelqu’un sur une suggestion qu’on lui fait indirectement.

En anglais simple : Used to draw attention to an indirect suggestion you want someone to notice.

• It’s my birthday tomorrow, hint, hint!
• Those chocolates look lovely. Hint, hint!
• Someone could wash the dishes tonight. Hint, hint!

Expressions courantes : hint hint, hint hint please