What somebody is driving at

usgb
phrase

To understand or figure out what someone is suggesting or implying.

I couldn't understand what she was driving at until she mentioned the budget cuts.
Visual representation of "what somebody is driving at" - To understand or figure out what someone is suggesting or implying.

Often appears as...

  • understand what somebody is driving at
  • guess what somebody is driving at

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "what somebody is driving at"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Hinting Subtly

The phrase often implies subtlety; the speaker hints without stating directly.

Illustration for Hinting Subtly
During the meeting, he was driving at someone's negligence without naming anyone.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Context Clues

Pay attention to context, as it's key to understanding what the speaker is implying.

Illustration for Context Clues
Given the context of her speech, what she's driving at seems to be stricter regulations.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Indirect Criticism

The phrase may be used to imply criticism or disapproval indirectly.

Illustration for Indirect Criticism
Is he driving at my recent work being unsatisfactory?
Visual representation of the word "What somebody is driving at"

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