when you put quotes around a certain word or phrase to imply something without saying it directly.
In the mafia for example they would say something like,
"
The dishes are done and the kids are in bed" to imply to a hierarchy or an associate in a public place that the order was successfully carried out, such as the transporting of drugs, blowing something up or murdering someone.
Or: I'll bring the party "
supplies" by your house around 10. (supplies being alcohol
w/o being directly stated)
john: Why did you put
quotes around
supplies when you were talking about the party tonight?
jack: i was
implying something else so others wouldn't know what i was really referring to. it's called the quotation mark effect.