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Glite Dictionary
nudge nudge wink wink

nudge nudge wink wink

9.9
Hint at something in a joking way with a wink or small gesture
  • idiom
  • NSFW
translation icon : guiño guiño
  • She smiled and said, "You know what that means," with a nudge nudge wink wink that left everyone guessing.

Examples

  • He mentioned his new "friend" with a nudge nudge wink wink that made everyone laugh.

  • When she mentioned the party, he gave a nudge nudge wink wink that made everyone laugh.

  • The politician's statement was full of nudge nudge wink wink about his opponent's secret.

  • Whenever the topic of the weekend came up, she responded nudge nudge wink wink and refused to give details.

  • He said he was just working late, but it was a clear nudge nudge wink wink situation.

  • When he made that comment about her dress, it was definitely a nudge nudge wink wink kind of moment.

  • The comedian's jokes were full of nudge nudge wink wink references that the audience loved.

Synonyms

to hint
vsnudge nudge wink wink
136 2.0

To suggest something in a quiet way without saying it directly

is mainly used to imply humorously with innuendo rather than neutral suggestion
to drop a hint
vsnudge nudge wink wink
4 3.4

To suggest something in a quiet, indirect way

is used to suggest with playful innuendo rather than to steer actions
wink-wink
vsnudge nudge wink wink
  • Informal
1 9.0

A small sign that shows a private joke or secret

is used to imply something indirectly with playful innuendo
that's what she said
vsnudge nudge wink wink
  • NSFW
1 9.9

A joke phrase people say after someone says something that can sound sexual

is used to imply indirectly rather than to point out someone else's joke

Antonyms

to declare
  • Formal
950 3.7

To officially tell other people or officials about something

express
13 3.9

Clearly and directly stated without leaving anything unspoken

Surface Forms

nudge nudge wink wink main

Morphology

nudge + nudge + wink + wink

The phrase literally strings together 'nudge' (to prompt) and 'wink' (a signaling gesture), so a learner who knows those words can likely infer the idea of hinting or innuendo. However, the fixed, playful repetitive formula and its pragmatic, humorous use to imply something indirectly are conventional and rely on cultural/pragmatic knowledge, so the exact pragmatic force is not fully predictable from the parts.

Etymology

The expression nudge nudge wink wink comes from the real actions of a small push (nudge) and a quick eye signal (wink) that people use to hint at something without saying it. When someone gives a nudge and a wink together, they are joking or suggesting secretly, so the phrase means 'to imply something indirectly'.