caught wind

Definitions

• become aware of something
  To learn about or hear news or information, often through rumor or gossip

• be affected by something
  To be influenced or impacted by something, such as a change in circumstances or a new development

Examples of caught wind

• The sailor set his sail and soon after, his boat caught wind. It picked up speed and sailed smoothly across the ocean.

  In this usage, "caught wind" is a metaphor for the sailboat catching the force of the wind, which propels the boat forward.

• The entrepreneur's business idea caught wind after a successful presentation at a conference.

  This example shows how an idea can "catch wind" or gain momentum and become popular or widely recognized.

• The rumor finally caught wind, and soon everyone in the office knew about it.

  Similar to the second example, "caught wind" here represents the spreading of a piece of information or rumor, often becoming more and more widely known over time.

• After years of research, the scientist's theory finally caught wind in the scientific community.

  In this example, "caught wind" is used to signify the recognition and acceptance of a scientific theory or discovery among the scientific community, often resulting in further research and investigation.

• The sailboat suddenly picked up speed as it caught wind.

  This example demonstrates the use of "caught wind" as a phrasal verb, where wind is the object being caught. In this context, it means that the wind started blowing in the right direction for the sailboat, propelling it forward.

• The rumor quickly spread through the office after it caught wind.

  In this example, "caught wind" is being used idiomatically to refer to the spread of a rumor. Just as a sailboat can pick up speed as it catches wind, a rumor can gain momentum and spread rapidly when certain people hear and pass it on.

• The proposal for a new policy was met with resistance at first, but it finally gained traction and caught wind.

  Again, "caught wind" is being used metaphorically to describe the success of the proposal. Just as a sailboat can pick up speed and gain momentum as it catches wind, a proposal can gain support and momentum as people become more interested and convinced by it.

• The news of the celebrity's divorce sent shockwaves through the media, and soon it caught wind.

  In this example, "caught wind" is being used idiomatically to refer to the widespread coverage and attention that a news story can receive. Just as wind can spread rapidly and widely, a news story can gain widespread attention and become a hot topic when it captures the imagination of the media and the public.

Conclusion

The idiom "caught wind" is used to describe becoming aware of something or being affected by something. It can refer to learning about news or information through rumor or gossip, or being influenced by a change in circumstances. This idiom is often used in casual conversation to convey the idea of gaining knowledge or being impacted by a situation.

Origin of "caught wind"

The origin of the idiom "caught wind" is unclear, but it likely comes from the idea of wind carrying information or bringing change. The word "caught" implies the suddenness or unexpectedness of becoming aware of something, while "wind" suggests the transmission of news or the arrival of a new influence. This idiom has been used for many years to describe the process of learning about something or being affected by a situation. Its origins may lie in the natural phenomenon of wind carrying sounds or scents, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the spread of information or the arrival of change. Examples of this idiom can be found in literature, film, and everyday speech, demonstrating its enduring relevance in the English language.