get wind of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get wind of something" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to hear about or become aware of something, usually through rumors or informal channels. Example: "I got wind of a new job opportunity at the company down the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

By Macy Halford January 22, 2010 Sometimes we get wind of something that just makes us want to say woof!

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Then I got wind of something called the Cafe Attitude, held every Sunday night in a remote farmhouse about 10 miles south of Hana on the main road.

The New York Times - Travel

As AARP's point man on youth violence gets wind of something major brewing from his new lover at the Justice Department, a health entrepreneur named Shen Li is pondering the business opportunities created by the latest American catastrophe.

The New York Times - Books

The local Camden kids had gotten wind of something strange going down in their hood.

Vice

"There's some risk if you don't disclose it and people get wind of it; they'll feel like you have something to hide".

Forbes

We were afraid that some well-intentioned animal rights group would get wind of Buster's situation and decide they had to rescue him from something.

The New York Times - Sports

Wait till the French get wind of this!

The New Yorker

A reporter managed to get wind of his larger donation.

The Guardian

Mexican drug cartels get wind of Walter's product.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Did Microsoft somehow get wind of the ads?

Forbes

And will Owen get wind of this?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get wind of something" when you want to emphasize that the information was obtained through informal channels or that it might be secret or unexpected. For example: "The media got wind of the scandal before the company could issue a statement."

Common error

Avoid using "get wind of something" when the information was obtained through official or direct means. If you were explicitly informed, use phrases like "I learned about" or "I was told about" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get wind of something" functions as an idiom that indicates the acquisition of information, typically through indirect or informal means. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its usage in contexts where information is received unexpectedly or perhaps discreetly.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Reference

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get wind of something" is a commonly used idiom that signifies obtaining information, particularly through indirect or informal channels. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives might be suitable for academic or scientific contexts. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the unexpected or informal nature of the information source, differentiating it from direct or official means of discovery. Consider alternatives like "hear about something" or "learn of something" for different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hear about something

This is a more general way of saying you learned about something, without the implication of secrecy or rumor.

learn of something

This is a more formal and direct way of saying you found out about something.

find out about something

This implies a more active effort in discovering the information.

become aware of something

This is a more formal and neutral way of saying you realized or noticed something.

discover something

This suggests uncovering something previously unknown or hidden.

get a whiff of something

This is a more figurative and informal way of saying you caught a hint or suspicion of something.

get a tip about something

This implies receiving information from a specific source, often confidentially.

catch on to something

This suggests realizing or understanding something that was not immediately obvious.

unearth something

This implies a deliberate effort to dig up or reveal information.

stumble upon something

This suggests finding information accidentally or unexpectedly.

FAQs

What does "get wind of something" mean?

The phrase "get wind of something" means to hear or learn about something, especially if it was meant to be a secret or was not widely known.

How can I use "get wind of something" in a sentence?

You can use it to indicate that you learned about something through informal or indirect channels, like rumors or whispers. For example, "I got wind of a potential merger between the two companies."

What can I say instead of "get wind of something"?

You can use alternatives like "hear about something", "learn of something", or "find out about something", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "get wind of something" in formal writing?

While the phrase is widely understood, it might be considered slightly informal. In formal writing, you might prefer alternatives like "become aware of something" or "discover something" to maintain a more professional tone.