0
Angliholic Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Take the bait/hint

At dinner that day he says at the table, says it casually to show it's an everyday thing, "I'll be going over to my best friend's house one of these days." Hoping his parents will take the bait and ask him who his best friend is.

HI,

Does "take the bait" in the above mean "take the hint?" If not, what does it mean? Thanks.
  

Top answer

Hi, 'Take the bait' suggests he wants to trap his parents into asking him. They are likely to regret asking him. Consider that a fisherman uses bait to catch/trap a fish.

— Clive

  • Hi, 'Take the bait' suggests he wants to trap his parents into asking him.
  • They are likely to regret asking him.
  • Consider that a fisherman uses bait to catch/trap a fish.
  • 'Take the hint' just suggests that he wants them to ask him.
  • There is no negative tone involved.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
Hi,

'Take the bait' suggests he wants to trap his parents into asking him. They are likely to regret asking him.

Consider that a fisherman uses bait to catch/trap a fish.

'Take the hint' just suggests that he wants them to ask him. There is no negative tone involved.

Best wishes, Clive
0
0
Thanks, Clive.

Got it!

By the way, are there more alternatives besides "take the bait?"

OUr counterpart is 'fall into the trap," litterally translated. Does it make sense to you?

Best regards,

Lewis
0
0
Hi,

Yes, you could use that kind of wording.

Clive
0
0
Angliholic
By the way, are there more alternatives besides "take the bait?"


I heard of "to rise to the bait".

0

Related Questions