What somebody is driving at
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.
Often appears as...
- understand what somebody is driving at
- guess what somebody is driving at
Usage tips
Idiomatic
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.
Often appears as...
- understand what somebody is driving at
- guess what somebody is driving at
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Hinting Subtly
The phrase often implies subtlety; the speaker hints without stating directly.
During the meeting, he was driving at someone's negligence without naming anyone.
Pro Tip 2/3Context Clues
Pay attention to context, as it's key to understanding what the speaker is implying.
Given the context of her speech, what she's driving at seems to be stricter regulations.
Pro Tip 3/3Indirect Criticism
The phrase may be used to imply criticism or disapproval indirectly.
Is he driving at my recent work being unsatisfactory?
Pro Tip 1/3Hinting Subtly
The phrase often implies subtlety; the speaker hints without stating directly.
During the meeting, he was driving at someone's negligence without naming anyone.
Pro Tip 2/3Context Clues
Pay attention to context, as it's key to understanding what the speaker is implying.
Given the context of her speech, what she's driving at seems to be stricter regulations.
Pro Tip 3/3Indirect Criticism
The phrase may be used to imply criticism or disapproval indirectly.
Is he driving at my recent work being unsatisfactory?
Pro Tip 1/3Hinting Subtly
The phrase often implies subtlety; the speaker hints without stating directly.
During the meeting, he was driving at someone's negligence without naming anyone.
Pro Tip 2/3Context Clues
Pay attention to context, as it's key to understanding what the speaker is implying.
Given the context of her speech, what she's driving at seems to be stricter regulations.
Pro Tip 3/3Indirect Criticism
The phrase may be used to imply criticism or disapproval indirectly.
Is he driving at my recent work being unsatisfactory?
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