Question

in_the_loop_594 to understand a message that is alluded to but not directly said or written Compare to: read something into (something). The expression suggests that there is meaning hidden between the lines of the words actually written.

Accepted Answer

READ BETWEEN THE LINES Although James didn’t say it in so many words, Elizabeth could read between the lines that he didn’t want to see her again.They tried to give him the bad news gently and without saying it directly, but he didn’t seem to understand all their hinting. Finally they asked him, “Can’t you read between the lines?”

Id	in_the_loop_594
Idiom	READ BETWEEN THE LINES
Definition	to understand a message that is alluded to but not directly said or written
Examples	Although James didn’t say it in so many words, Elizabeth could read between the lines that he didn’t want to see her again. They tried to give him the bad news gently and without saying it directly, but he didn’t seem to understand all their hinting. Finally they asked him, “Can’t you read between the lines?”
Cross-Refs	Compare to: read something into (something). The expression suggests that there is meaning hidden between the lines of the words actually written.

Read Lines Didn’t Understand Loop Message Alluded Directly