“A wink and a nod” is an idiomatic expression used to describe a subtle, often informal gesture of agreement, understanding, or approval that is not openly or explicitly stated. It suggests a shared understanding or a secretive, unspoken communication between people. This phrase is commonly used to describe situations where something is agreed upon quietly or discreetly, often to avoid direct confrontation or to indicate mutual consent without making it public. The wink and nod both imply a non-verbal, almost covert way of conveying meaning. In Indonesian, a similar expression might be “sebuah isyarat” or “tanda diam-diam”, referring to a subtle gesture of agreement or communication.
Synonyms:
- Secret understanding
- Silent agreement
- Implicit consent
- Subtle gesture
- Covert communication
- Silent acknowledgment
- Unspoken agreement
- Quiet understanding
- Hidden approval
- Muted consent
Example Sentences:
- They exchanged a wink and a nod, signaling that they were both in on the plan.
- The two politicians shared a wink and a nod, indicating they were agreeing on something behind closed doors.
- The boss gave me a wink and a nod, signaling that I should proceed with the proposal.
- They came to a decision with just a wink and a nod, avoiding the need for a formal meeting.
- The look he gave her was more than just a wink and a nod; it was a sign of genuine affection.
- During the meeting, the manager gave a wink and a nod to indicate that the issue was resolved without further discussion.
- They had reached a deal with nothing more than a wink and a nod, keeping it all under wraps.
- A wink and a nod between the two friends told me they were planning something without saying a word.
- The wink and a nod were all it took for us to know we had her approval.
- The wink and a nod between the two competitors was an unspoken acknowledgment of mutual respect.
Related Words:
- Understanding
- Agreement
- Consent
- Approval
- Gesture
- Signal
- Acknowledgment
- Communication
- Subtlety
- Hint
Related Phrasal Verbs:
- Give the green light (to give permission or approval, often implied with a subtle gesture like a wink and a nod)
- Keep it under wraps (to keep something secret or hidden, often agreed upon with a wink and a nod)
- Let it slide (to overlook something subtly, often indicated with a wink and a nod)
- Take a hint (to understand something implied through subtle gestures or unspoken cues)
- Give a nod to (to indicate approval or recognition subtly, much like a wink and a nod)
- Catch someone’s drift (to understand the implied meaning or unspoken message, as in a wink and a nod)
- Pick up on (to notice or understand subtle cues or signals, like a wink and a nod)
- Play it cool (to act in a relaxed or subtle way, often in situations where a wink and a nod would be appropriate)
- Read between the lines (to understand a deeper or hidden meaning, often conveyed through subtle actions like a wink and a nod)
- Keep a straight face (to hide one’s true feelings or intentions, often while exchanging subtle signals like a wink and a nod)
Idiomatic Expressions:
- A nod is as good as a wink (sometimes a subtle signal or gesture, like a wink and a nod, is just as meaningful as a more direct communication)
- Bite your tongue (to refrain from saying something directly, often when a wink and a nod or subtle gesture is more appropriate)
- Secret handshake (a private, often unspoken agreement or communication, similar to a wink and a nod)
- In the know (being aware of something through subtle, non-explicit means, similar to understanding something via a wink and a nod)
- Caught in the act (when something is understood without being explicitly said, often hinted at by a wink and a nod)
- A wink of the eye (to indicate a secret understanding, often leading to an unspoken agreement)
- Play your cards close to your chest (to keep one’s intentions hidden, signaling them only through subtle actions like a wink and a nod)
- Keep a low profile (to stay under the radar, possibly communicating with a wink and a nod to avoid attention)
- A silent partner (someone who is involved but doesn’t speak openly, often represented by gestures like a wink and a nod)
- Hit it off (to connect or agree quickly, sometimes signified by a wink and a nod or mutual understanding)
A wink and a nod conveys a subtle and informal way of communicating an understanding or agreement without saying much. It’s a way of signaling something without drawing attention or making it public, often relying on the shared knowledge between individuals involved. While not overtly stated, these gestures can be powerful in conveying mutual understanding or approval in many situations, whether in business, personal relationships, or even casual interactions.
