Asks anxiously for hints, on the quiet (6)
I believe the answer is:
pleads
'asks anxiously' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'hints on the quiet' is the wordplay.
'hints' becomes 'leads' (as in hints or leads in a police investigation).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'the quiet' becomes 'p' (music symbol for 'piano', ie soft or quiet).
'leads' put after 'p' is 'PLEADS'.
'for' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pleads that I've seen before include "Makes appeal or entreaty" , "Appeals or requests earnestly" , "Implores" , "Begs" .)