gets wind of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gets wind of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has become aware of something, often through informal means or gossip. Example: "She usually gets wind of the latest office gossip before anyone else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Goodell gets wind of the strategy and suspends them for it?

The Guardian - Sport

When she gets wind of this plan, her mother of course refuses.

The New York Times - Books

There he gets wind of a plan to lay off many employees — including his father.

The New Yorker

The business goes swimmingly until Bill the Bookie gets wind of it.

The New York Times

And a company must notify the union if it gets wind of a coming raid.

The New York Times

But when social services gets wind of the situation, they want to take the child away.

The New York Times

But once Joe gets wind of what's going on over at the E.R., he shifts into detective mode.

The New York Times - Books

"We have to act quickly, before Brandt changes his mind or Solzhenitsyn gets wind of the plan," Andropov said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Maxim got wind of the investigation, and panicked.

The New Yorker

The C.I.A. got wind of the magazine's investigation.

The New Yorker

Prexy got wind of the plot just in time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gets wind of" when you want to indicate that someone has learned about something, particularly when the information was supposed to be secret or not widely known. This phrase adds a sense of intrigue or discovery to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "gets wind of" in highly formal or academic writing. While acceptable in many contexts, it can sound too informal for scholarly papers or official reports. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "becomes aware of" or "learns about" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gets wind of" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It signifies the act of receiving information, often in a secretive or unexpected manner. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gets wind of" is a commonly used idiom that means to hear or learn about something, often when it's supposed to be a secret. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in written English. While frequently found in news and media contexts, it's best to avoid using it in highly formal or scientific writing, opting for more neutral alternatives like "becomes aware of". Its primary function is to indicate the acquisition of knowledge, adding a sense of discovery or intrigue. Remember to reserve its usage for contexts where the information has an aspect of secrecy or unexpectedness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Learns about

Simple and direct way of saying that someone found out about something.

Finds out

Informal way to express learning something, often unexpectedly.

Discovers

Suggests a more active or intentional finding of information.

Becomes aware of

More formal way of saying that someone realized something.

Gets a tip about

Implies receiving confidential or inside information.

Receives information about

Formal and neutral way of saying that someone was informed.

Catches on to

Suggests understanding something that was previously unclear or hidden.

Hears tell of

Archaic or folksy way of saying someone heard a rumor or story.

Detects

Implies discovering something subtle or hidden through careful observation.

Stumbles upon

Suggests discovering something accidentally or unexpectedly.

FAQs

What does "gets wind of" mean?

The phrase "gets wind of" means to hear or learn about something, especially if it was intended to be secret or not widely known. It implies discovering information, often through informal means.

What can I say instead of "gets wind of"?

You can use alternatives like "learns about", "discovers", or "finds out" depending on the context.

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

While acceptable in many contexts, "gets wind of" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use phrases like "becomes aware of" or "receives information about".

How do I use "gets wind of" in a sentence?

You can use "gets wind of" to indicate that someone has discovered something, often secret. For example, "The journalist gets wind of a major scandal within the company."