get wind of

get wind of (something)

To become aware of something, especially something being kept secret, through indirect means. If Mom gets wind of this prank we're planning, we'll be grounded for the rest of the summer. If the press gets wind of this, the campaign will be over. A: "Tom found a stash of gold hidden at the old abandoned quarry!" B: "Quick, let's go before anyone else gets wind of it!"

See also: get, of, wind

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

get wind of something

 and catch wind of something

Fig. to learn of something; to hear about something. The police got wind of the illegal drug deal. John caught wind of the gossip being spread about him.

See also: get, of, wind

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

get wind of

Learn of; hear a rumor about. For example, "If my old aunt gets wind of it, she'll cut me off with a shilling" (William Makepeace Thackeray, in Paris Sketch Book, 1840). This expression alludes to an animal perceiving a scent carried by the wind. [First half of 1800s]

See also: get, of, wind

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.

get wind of

begin to suspect that something is happening; hear a rumour of. informal

See also: get, of, wind

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017