2
general::
Phrase(s): give someone to understand something
to explain something to someone; to imply something to someone. (Possibly misleading someone, accidentally or intentionally. See also given to understand.) • Mr. Smith gave Sally to understand that she should be home by midnight. • The mayor gave the citizens to understand that there would be no tax increase. He didn’t promise, though.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs