hint at

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle at

Usefulness

Meanings

1

Suggest an idea without saying it directly

Hidden Meaning

Why “at”? Words point toward an idea without saying it directly.

“The report hints at a deeper problem.”
The report suggests a deeper problem without stating it directly.
“She hinted at plans to leave.”
She suggested plans to leave without stating them directly.

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“The report hints at a deeper problem.” What does it mean?

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get at

Same at pattern: hidden meaning

Criticise someone repeatedly or unfairly; Suggest or mean something indirectly; Reach or gain access to something

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