# an object, a piece of evidence or some information that helps the police solve a crime.

• The burglar left no clues.

• clue about something: They are searching for clues about the kidnapping.

• clue (as) to something: The police think the CCTV recording may offer clues to the identity of the killer.

# something that you say or do in an indirect way in order to show somebody what you are thinking.

• He gave a broad hint (= one that was obvious) that he was thinking of retiring.

• Should I drop a hint (= give a hint) to Matt?

• He resented any hint that he might be to blame.

# something that suggests what will happen in the future.

• SYNONYM sign;

• At the first hint of trouble, they left.

• The opening scene gives us a hint of things to come.

# hint (of something) a small amount of something.

• SYNONYM suggestion, trace;

• a hint of a smile

• There was more than a hint of sadness in his voice.

• The walls were painted white with a hint of peach.

• Gail searched his face for the slightest hint of regret.

# [usually plural] hint (on something) a small piece of practical information or advice.

• SYNONYM tip;

• handy hints on saving money

• The teacher’s book gives useful hints on how to develop reading skills.

# take a/the hint (idiom): ​to understand what somebody wants you to do even though they tell you in an indirect way.

• I thought they'd never go—some people just can't take a hint.

• Sarah hoped he'd take the hint and leave her alone.

• Can't you take a hint and leave me alone?

# [countable, uncountable] (formal) ​allusion (to somebody/something) something that is said or written that refers to or mentions another person or subject in an indirect way (= alludes to it).

• His statement was seen as an allusion to the recent drug-related killings.

• Her poetry is full of obscure literary allusion.

• She was made uncomfortable by his veiled allusion to the previous night.

# allude to somebody/something l ​(formal) to mention something in an indirect way.

• The problem had been alluded to briefly in earlier discussions.

# insist on/upon something l ​to demand something and refuse to be persuaded to accept anything else.

• We insisted on a refund of the full amount.

• Charles was determined to insist on his rights.

•  insist on/upon doing something l They insisted upon being given every detail of the case.

# in a way that firmly says that something must be true or done.

• "Let me in," he said insistently.

• We live in a society that insistently hammers into parents the importance of spending time with their children.

• Politely but insistently, he confronted them about the issue of human and religious rights.

• She insistently repeats her points.

# in a way that demands something and refuses to accept any opposition or excuses.

• They insistently refused to accept any cash compensation.

# ​in a way that continues for a long time and cannot be ignored.

• He tried to ignore his insistently ringing phone.

# [usually before noun] ​too shocking or embarrassing to be mentioned or spoken about; shocking or embarrassing, and therefore not allowed or disapproved of as a subject of conversation.

• the unmentionable possibility that we might lose the war.

• an unmentionable disease.

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