# get wind of something

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/get-wind-of-something
Updated: 2026-06-07

## Meaning

Hear news of something secret

## Examples

- I hope the boss doesn't get wind of our surprise party.
- The company tried to keep the merger secret, but the local newspapers soon got wind of the deal.
- Once the rival firm got wind of the new technology being developed, they immediately increased their own research budget to stay competitive.

## Origin

From hunting: animals scent danger carried on the wind; the figurative sense (to hear a rumour) parallels the French 'avoir vent de'. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.