get wind of (something)
(redirected from gotten 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.
get wind of something
and catch wind of somethingFig. 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.
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]
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.