drop a clue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drop a clue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to suggest giving a hint or piece of information that may help someone understand something better. Example: "During the meeting, she decided to drop a clue about the upcoming project changes to gauge everyone's reaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I had someone drop a clue at her door," said Mr. Heyderman, who is president and chief executive of Multi Dimensional Resources.

The New York Times

Prince William then appeared to drop a clue about the royal baby's name.

HuffPost

On the other hand, the same risk plus the psychological pressure of constantly monitoring my behavior, appearance, and speech to ensure that I didn't inadvertently drop a clue.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

An anecdote reported by Weski in the Whitney catalogue drops a clue.

The New Yorker

And in evoking this rich context Mr. Fisher drops a clue that helps explain the Jameses as well as any other.

The New York Times - Books

There are hints and allusions throughout, but she usually pulls the listener away after having dropped a clue.

The Guardian - Music

Every so often, Hoffa drops a clue that his quest for the teamster presidency is motivated by something deeper than his love for the workingman.

The New York Times - Magazine

He tells us, however, that "accident in history is rife", dropping a clue that this is not going to be a story of historical inevitability or psychological determinism.

The Guardian - Books

It is one of the great mysteries around the Mets, and the person in the middle of it never drops a clue.

The New York Times - Sports

When I ask Holland if he'd like to do more comedy, he drops a clue about his forthcoming portrayal of Peter Parker: "I'm sure there will be a lot of levity throughout Spider-Man but I'd love to do a comedy in the future".

Independent

She's tight-lipped about the details but it's set in a period slightly later than the Chronicles, though still pre-history, in a "culture further south" (she dropped a clue about volcanoes), and features another boy hero with a fearless female friend.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drop a clue" when you want to subtly introduce a hint or piece of information that might lead someone to a particular understanding or conclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "drop a clue" when a straightforward explanation is more appropriate. Overusing it can make your communication seem unnecessarily indirect or even manipulative.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "drop a clue" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of subtly providing a hint or piece of information. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drop a clue" is an idiomatic expression used to describe the act of subtly providing a hint or piece of information. As Ludwig AI points out, it is correct and usable in written English. Analysis of the examples shows that it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While grammatically sound, it is important to consider the level of subtlety needed for clear communication; overusing it may make your communication seem unnecessarily indirect. Related phrases like ""give a hint"" or "offer a suggestion" may be more appropriate in certain situations. The phrase serves the purpose of subtly implying something, often to guide someone towards a conclusion without explicitly stating it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give a hint

More direct and less idiomatic than "drop a clue".

offer a suggestion

Implies a more explicit and considered offering of information.

provide an inkling

Suggests a subtle or indirect indication.

leak information

Suggests a deliberate, often unauthorized, release of information.

offer a glimmer of hope

Specific to situations where the "clue" provides encouragement.

plant a seed of doubt

Suggests instilling uncertainty rather than providing clarity.

give food for thought

Offers something to consider, not necessarily a direct clue.

imply something

Suggests conveying information indirectly, without a specific clue.

insinuate something

Suggests conveying information subtly and often negatively.

unveil a secret

Implies revealing something hidden, not just a simple clue.

FAQs

How can I use "drop a clue" in a sentence?

You can use "drop a clue" when you want to suggest that someone is giving a hint or piece of information, such as, "During the presentation, she decided to "drop a clue" about the upcoming merger."

What is a synonym for "drop a clue"?

A synonym for "drop a clue" is "give a hint". It implies subtly providing information.

Is it better to "drop a clue" or "give a hint"?

The choice between ""drop a clue"" and ""give a hint"" depends on the desired level of subtlety. "Drop a clue" suggests a more indirect approach, while "give a hint" is more direct.

What does it mean to "drop subtle clues"?

To "drop subtle clues" means to provide very faint or indirect hints that are not immediately obvious but may lead someone to a particular conclusion or understanding.