What each of these clues is

noun

1. A statement that expresses indirectly what one prefers not to say explicitly

   "had been dropping hints that he would like to be invited"

2. An indirect or general suggestion for how to do or solve something

   "helpful hints for inexperienced cooks"

3. A slight indication of the existence, approach, or nature of something clue

   "gave only a hint of what was to come"

4. A very small amount suggestion

   "with just a hint of spice"

5. Opportunity, turn

verb

1. To convey indirectly and by allusion rather than explicitly

   "a suspicion that she scarcely dared to hint"

2. To give an indirect suggestion or piece of evidence that leads one toward the solution of a problem to give a hint

phrasal verb

1. To talk about (something) in an indirect way

   "He's been hinting at the possibility of running for mayor."

idiom

1. To make a statement that suggests something that one does not want to say in a direct way

   "He's been dropping hints that he'd like to be invited to the party."

idiom

1. To understand what someone is suggesting when he or she says something in an indirect way

   "When she told me how much work she had to do, I got/took the hint and left."

idiom

1. To understand what someone is suggesting when he or she says something in an indirect way

   ""I have a lot of work to do." "OK, I'll leave. I can take a hint.""