get wind of (something)

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.

See also: get, of, wind

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

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

get wind of something

COMMON If you get wind of something such as a plan or information, you find out about it, often when other people did not want you to. Singapore authorities got wind of the plot. The local press recently got wind of the story, and published an article about it. Note: You can also say that you catch wind of something. It wasn't long before Hollywood had caught wind of the story. Note: This expression refers to animals being able to smell hunters or other animals when they are some way off, because the smell is carried to them on the wind.

See also: get, of, something, wind

get wind of

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

See also: get, of, wind

get ˈwind of something

(informal) hear about something secret or private: A journalist got wind of a story about the nuclear research centre.

See also: get, of, something, wind