give sb to understand

make sb think sth is true, lead sb to believe

She gave me to understand that she disliked being called
"Billie Ruth", though that's what most folks called her.  Google

Sometimes Verlaine gave me to understand that it was his intention to come with me,
in justice, as he put it, to his wife and his wife's family ;  Google

He let out a long, satisfying sigh, and gave me to understand he
was about to reveal something he had never told anyone before.  Google

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