got wind of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got wind of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to learn of something through indirect means, usually through rumors or gossip. Example: I heard that John got wind of his colleague's affair with the boss.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Prexy got wind of the plot just in time.

The New Yorker

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

Then the parks department got wind of it.

The New York Times

Rackham only got wind of the explanation later.

The Guardian - Business

Some folks in town got wind of the program.

The New York Times

Think the Dallas owner, Jerry Jones, got wind of that?

The New York Times - Sports

Has his old man got wind of this subversive stuff?

The Guardian - Books

MMA journalist Ariel Helwani got wind of the campaign and saw its potential.

Independent

When the Chinese government got wind of it, they immediately detained me.

The New York Times

People got wind of it and then it hit the media.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got wind of" when you want to emphasize that the information was received informally, indirectly, or possibly in secret. It's suitable for describing how news or rumors spread.

Common error

While "got wind of" is widely used, it's not appropriate for highly formal or technical contexts. Opt for more neutral phrases like "learned about" or "became aware of" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "got wind of" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of learning something, often discreetly or through informal channels. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. The phrase suggests the acquisition of information, frequently about something intended to be private or secret.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "got wind of" is a frequently used phrase that means to learn about something, especially in an indirect or secretive way. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted in written English. Its usage is particularly prevalent in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the level of formality required for the specific context, opting for more neutral alternatives like "learned about" or "became aware of" in professional settings. This phrase, although common, conveys a sense of rumor or informal discovery.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was tipped off

Suggests receiving secret or private information.

learned about

Focuses on the acquisition of information without specifying the method.

heard about

A general term for receiving information.

picked up on

Implies noticing something subtle or indirect.

discovered

Suggests a more active finding of information.

found out

Similar to 'discovered' but can also imply accidental finding.

caught on to

Similar to 'picked up on', but suggests understanding as well as hearing.

became aware of

More formal way of saying 'found out'.

was informed of

Indicates that the information was given to the person.

came to know

Similar to 'became aware of', but slightly more literary.

FAQs

How can I use "got wind of" in a sentence?

You can use "got wind of" to indicate that someone learned about something, often in a secretive or informal way. For example, "The CEO "got wind of" the planned merger before it was officially announced."

What's a more formal alternative to "got wind of"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "learned about", "became aware of", or "was informed of" instead of ""got wind of"".

Is "caught wind of" interchangeable with "got wind of"?

Yes, "caught wind of" is generally interchangeable with "got wind of". Both idioms mean to hear or learn about something, especially if it was meant to be secret.

What does it imply when someone "got wind of" something?

It typically implies that the information was obtained indirectly, perhaps through rumors or leaks, rather than through official channels. It suggests an element of chance or secrecy in the acquisition of the information.