hint (something) to (someone)
To indirectly suggest or insinuate something to someone. If you've got a problem with me, please don't hint it to my boss—just talk to me. I tried hinting my interest in Joe to his best friend, but it doesn't seem to have done any good.
hint something to someone
to give a hint or clue to someone. I thought she was leaving. She hinted that to me. She wasn't hinting anything to you! You made it all up!