drift (redirected from drifting)

drift with the tide

to agree with other people without thinking about things for yourself and making your own decisions. We are looking for someone with the ability to lead rather than just drift with the tide.

See also: tide

get someone's/the drift (informal, informal)

to understand what someone is saying. Can you explain that again? I don't quite get your drift. I didn't understand everything he was saying but I think I caught the drift.

if you catch/get my drift (informal, informal)

something that you say to suggest that you have left out information or your opinion from what you have just told someone. She always has to be the centre of attention, if you catch my drift.

See also: catch

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get the drift

to understand in a general way what someone is telling you. I usually read the first page of a report just to get the drift.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form get someone's drift: She said something about going home, but Len didn't get her drift at the time.