A nod's as good as a wink

Posted by Smokey Stover on May 22, 2007

In Reply to: A nod's as good as a wink posted by RRC on May 21, 2007

: : I found this phrase in the archives, but do not clearly understand the meaning and the use. Is it used ironically, that is "no sense to waste so many words - a nod's as good as a wink to explain what you wished to convey"? Any other?

From The Free Dictionary:

A nod's as good as a wink. (British & Australian, humorous)
something that you say when you have understood what was meant by something although it was not expressed in a direct way. "I know when I'm not wanted, so don't try to say anything more - a nod's as good as a wink."

Don't use this on Americans. Even if they understand it, they will regard it as an incomprehensible Briticism. However, you'll see it every now and then in British writing.
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• A nod's as good as a wink pamela 23/May/07
• A nod's as good as a wink pamela 23/May/07