Intimate to Me: Definition, Meaning, and Origin

Last Updated on
September 18, 2023

"Intimate to me" is an idiom that means to tell someone something privately or confidentially. It is often used when someone wants to share personal or sensitive information with another person or to express their feelings or opinions to someone they trust.

In short:

  • It means to tell someone something in a private.
  • It is often used when sharing personal or sensitive information.

What Does "Intimate to Me" Mean?

As explained above, the idiom "intimate to me" means to tell someone something privately or confidentially. It implies a close or friendly relationship and mutual respect and understanding.

Some related expressions that have similar meanings are:

  • To confide in someone
  • To imply something to someone
  • To divulge something to someone
  • To disclose something to someone
  • To insinuate something to someone

Where Does "Intimate to Me" Come From?

The idiom "intimate to me" comes from the verb "intimate," which means to communicate something subtly or indirectly or to make known by a hint. It was first used in English in the late 16th century, and the idiom "intimate to me" was first recorded in the early 17th century.

Historical Example

"I have intimated your grace’s pleasure to all such as you directed me unto."

—an excerpt from the letter of Sir Walter Raleigh in 1618

10 Examples of "Intimate to Me" in Sentences

Here are some examples of how this idiom can be used in different sentences:

  • They intimated to me that they were leaving the country anytime soon.
  • She intimated to me that she was not happy with her marriage anymore.
  • During our workshop, the instructor intimated to me some improvements I could make in my writing.
  • I felt down when they intimated to me that they were not satisfied with my work.
  • She did not intimate to me anything about her health problems until it was too late.
  • She intimated to me that the reading material for next week's class would be challenging.
  • One evening out, she intimated to me that she had feelings for me but was afraid of rejection.
  • He intimated to me that he had some deep dark secrets that he could not share with anyone else.
  • About last night, he intimated to me his interest in joining our team, but he did not say it outright.
  • When I asked about the best choice, he intimated to me which option would be the most beneficial.

Examples of "Intimate to Me" in Pop Culture

Here are some examples of its use in pop culture:

  • In the song "Intimate" by FKA Twigs, she sings, "You're the only one who knows how to get intimate with me" in the chorus, implying a deep connection with her lover.
  • In the novel "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, Mr. Darcy intimates to Elizabeth that he admires her despite their differences. He says, "In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."
  • In the comic book "Watchmen" by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, Rorschach intimates to his psychiatrist that he has a dark and violent past. He says, "None of you understand. I'm not locked up in here with you. You're locked up in here with me."
  • In the video game "The Last of Us," Joel intimates to Ellie that he cares for her like a daughter after losing his daughter in a zombie apocalypse. He says, "You have no idea what loss is."

Other Ways to Say "Intimate to Me"

Here are some synonyms for this idiom:

  • To whisper something to someone
  • To confide something to someone
  • To disclose something to someone
  • To divulge something to someone
  • To imply something to someone
  • To insinuate something to someone
  • To hint at something to someone
  • To suggest something to someone
  • To indicate something to someone
  • To signal something to someone

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "Intimate to Me"

Here are some frequently asked questions about the idiom:

  • What does "intimate to me" mean?

"Intimate to me" is an idiom that means to tell someone something privately or confidentially. It is often used when someone wants to share personal or sensitive information with another person or to express their feelings or opinions to someone they trust.

  • What is the origin of the phrase "intimate to me"?

The idiom "intimate to me" comes from the verb "intimate," which means to communicate something subtly or indirectly or to make known by a hint. It was first used in English in the late 16th century, and the idiom "intimate to me" was first recorded in the early 17th century.

  • What is the difference between "intimate" and "intimidate"?

"Intimate" is a verb that means to communicate something subtly or indirectly or to make known by a hint. Intimidate" is a verb that means to frighten or threaten someone into doing what one wants.

  • How do you use "intimate to me" in a question?

You can use "intimate to me" in a question by following the same grammatical rules as in a statement. You can use "intimate to me" at the question's beginning or end, depending on the word order and the emphasis.

  • How do you pronounce "intimate to me"?

You pronounce "intimate to me" by saying each word separately and clearly, with the stress on the first syllable of "intimate." The phonetic transcription of “intimate to me” is /ˈɪn.tɪ.meɪt tuː miː/.

  • Is "intimate to me" formal or informal?

"Intimate to me" is a formal idiom usually used in written or spoken communication that requires high politeness, respect, or professionalism. It is uncommon in casual or everyday conversation, where people use more straightforward words or phrases.

  • Is "intimate to me" positive or negative?

"Intimate to me" can be either positive or negative, depending on the speaker's context and tone. When it means to tell someone something privately or confidentially, it can be positive if the speaker and the listener have a close or friendly relationship and trust each other. It can also be harmful if the speaker and the listener have a hostile or unfriendly relationship and distrust each other. When it is used to hint or suggest something to someone subtly or indirectly, it is usually harmful if the speaker is unhappy or dissatisfied with something and wants the listener to change their behavior or attitude.

  • What are some synonyms for "intimate to me" in other languages?

Spanish: Confesar algo a alguien (To confess something to someone)
French: Confier quelque chose à quelqu’un (To confide something to someone)
German: Jemandem etwas anvertrauen (To entrust something to someone)
Italian: Confidare qualcosa a qualcuno (To confide something to someone)

  • What are some idioms that are similar to "intimate to me"?

Some idioms that are similar to "intimate to me" are "spill the tea," "beat about the bush," "read between the lines," and "drop a hint."

  • How do you write "intimate to me" in a sentence?

You can use "intimate to me" at the beginning or the end of the sentence, depending on the word order and the emphasis. You must also use punctuation marks, such as commas, periods, question marks, or quotation marks, to separate "intimate to me" from the rest of the sentence.

Final Thoughts About "Intimate to Me"

"Intimate to me" is an idiom that means to tell someone something privately or confidentially or to hint or suggest something to someone subtly or indirectly.

In summary:

  • It means to tell someone something privately or confidentially.
  • It is a formal idiom usually used in written or spoken communication.
  • It can be positive or negative, depending on the context and the speaker's tone.

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