be/get wise to somebody/something

be wise to (someone or something)

To be fully aware or cognizant of someone or something, especially if it is suspicious, illegal, or malicious in nature or intention. We'd better watch our step—I think the police are wise to us! I'm wise to your scheme, and I'll find a way to make sure you can never put it into action! Now that I've been teaching for a few years, I'm wise to kids who try to cheat on their tests.

See also: to, wise

get wise to (someone or something)

To become fully aware or cognizant of someone or something, especially if he, she, or it is suspicious, illegal, or malicious in nature or intention. We'd better watch our step—I think the police are getting wise to us! I hope my brother doesn't get wise to my scheme to take over the company. If you keep taking office supplies, the boss is going to get wise to it eventually!

See also: get, to, wise

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

get wise to

Also be wise to. See through the deception of; also, become aware of. For example, It took a while, but she finally got wise to Fred's lies, or I'm wise to the fact that her clothes come from a thrift shop. [Colloquial; mid-1800s]

See also: get, to, wise

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

be/get ˈwise to somebody/something

(informal) be/become aware of something or aware of somebody’s (usually bad) behaviour: When did you first get wise to what was happening? ♢ He thought he could fool me but I’m wise to him.

See also: get, somebody, something, to, wise

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017