get wind of

Although the meanings of the words in them do not make any sense when examined one by one, the word groups that are shaped according to the cultural roots of the language and that make sense as a whole are called idioms. get wind of meaning, in what situations is it used?

Meaning of "get wind of"

Meaning

The idiom “get wind of” means to gain knowledge or an awareness of something, often of a rumour or secret, through informal or indirect means. It implies the information was acquired without any formal interest, investigation or intention.

Etymology

The idiom “get wind of” originates from the Old English term “wind” which means to come to know or be aware of. It is believed the idiom was first used in the 14th century to describe someone picking up news of a rumour or gossip from an overheard conversation. The meaning has evolved over the centuries, but the core idea of gathering unexpected knowledge remains.

Usage

The idiom “get wind of” is most commonly used in informal or casual conversations. It is used to express surprise or disbelief at the acquisition of new information, in a way that implies the speaker was unaware of the situation until now. It can also be used to express pride or gratification at being the first one to know a piece of news.

Example Sentences

• I had no idea she was moving until I got wind of it from one of the neighbours.
• We didn't expect the company to report record profits this quarter, but we got wind of it before it was announced.
• They were trying to keep the merger a secret, but we got wind of it before the press release went out.

Idioms have a common language

"The early bird catches the worm" is an English idiom that means that those who wake up early and start their day early are more likely to succeed. A similar idiom in Spanish is "El que madruga, Dios le ayuda," which translates to "God helps those who rise early." This idiom emphasizes the importance of starting the day early in order to achieve success.