241 Get wind of

(PW) find out, hear gossip or tumors about

I got wind of the fact that they will be closing down our department.

 

(dictionary) Learn of; hear a rumor about. For example, "If my old aunt gets wind of it, she'll cut me off with a shilling" (William Makepeace Thackeray, in Paris Sketch Book , 1840). This expression alludes to an animal perceiving a scent carried by the wind. [First half of 1800s]

 

(allwords) verb 

(idiom) To hear about; to learn of something, especially as by rumor, gossip, etc.

When she got wind of their plans to take over the world, she was furious.

 

(free) Verb1.get wind - get to know or become aware of, usually accidentally; "I learned that she has two grown-up children"; "I see that you have been promoted"