give to understand
give (one) to understand
To cause one to understand or believe something. Why should I worry? The boss has never given me to understand that she's displeased with my work.
See also: give, understand
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
give someone to understand something
to explain something to someone; to imply something to someone. (Possibly misleading someone, accidentally or intentionally. See also given to understand.) Mr. Smith gave Sally to understand that she should be home by midnight. The mayor gave the citizens to understand that there would be no tax increase. He didn't promise, though.
See also: give, understand
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
give to understand
Lead one to think, as in I was given to understand that the President was coming here. [Mid-1500s]
See also: give, understand
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- give (one) to understand
- given to understand
- as far as I understand (it)
- understand
- AFAIUI
- AFAIU
- dig
- dig (someone)
- I don't understand
- I don't understand (it)