catch someone’s drift: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘catch someone's drift’ mean?
The idiom "catch someone's drift" means to understand or comprehend what someone is trying to say or imply.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "pick up what someone is putting down" means to understand or comprehend someone's message or intention, often when it is not explicitly stated. It involves perceiving and grasping the underlying meaning or subtle clues in a conversation or situation.
The idiom "drift apart" means to gradually become less close or connected to someone, often due to a lack of shared interests or time spent together.
*Drift apart* is an idiom that describes a gradual separation between people or things that were once close. This phrase is commonly used to express the idea of growing apart from someone or something over time. It suggests a gradual movement away from a shared point, similar to how objects drift apart in space.
The idiom "cross someone's path" means to encounter or meet someone unexpectedly or by chance.
The idiom "cross someone's path" refers to the action of encountering or meeting someone unexpectedly. This phrase is often used to describe the unexpected meeting of people or the unexpected occurrence of events.
The idiom "come across" means to be perceived or understood in a certain way by others, typically based on one's appearance, behavior, or communication.
The idiom "change someone's mind" means to persuade or convince someone to think differently or alter their opinion about something.
The idiom "caught up" means to become deeply involved in or affected by something, often to the extent of being overwhelmed or consumed by it.
The idiom "catch the sun" figuratively means to take advantage of an opportunity or grasp a moment of happiness or success. It implies capturing a fleeting moment, like trying to catch the sun in your hands.
The idiom "catch the eye" means to attract attention or be visually striking.
The idiom "catch the eye" refers to something or someone that attracts attention or stands out visually. This expression is commonly used in English-speaking countries, and it is often used figuratively to describe something visually striking or captivating that immediately captures one's attention.
The idiom "catch someone's eye" means to attract someone's attention or to be noticeable or interesting enough for someone to notice.
Unraveling the Essence
The idiom "catch on" is related to "catch someone's drift" in that both phrases involve understanding or comprehending something. While "catch someone's drift" specifically refers to understanding someone's point or intention, "catch on" is more broad and can be used to describe grasping any concept or idea. For example, if someone explains a new trend or joke to you and you say, "Oh, I finally caught on," it means that you now understand and are aware of what they were talking about. Just as "catch someone's drift" implies understanding someone's meaning, "catching on" is about understanding a concept or idea as a whole.
The idiom "catch someone's eye" is another related phrase that also involves understanding, albeit in a different context. While "catch someone's drift" is about comprehending someone's point or intention, "catch someone's eye" is about capturing someone's attention or interest. This expression is often used to describe the visual appeal or attractiveness of something that stands out and draws attention. For example, if you're walking down the street and a colorful artwork catches your eye, it means that it grabbed your attention and made you notice it. Similarly, if someone's outfit catches your eye, it means that it caught your attention and you found it visually appealing. Just as "catch someone's drift" is about understanding someone's meaning, "catching someone's eye" is about capturing their attention through visual appeal.
Lastly, the idiom "pick up what someone is putting down" is also related to "catch someone's drift" in that both phrases involve understanding someone's intended meaning. While "catch someone's drift" is a more general expression, "pick up what someone is putting down" is often used in conversations to indicate that you understand the implicit or hidden message that someone is trying to convey. For example, if someone says something sarcastic or uses a subtler form of communication, and you respond with "I see what you're putting down," it means that you understand the underlying message or intention behind their words. Just as "catch someone's drift" is about understanding someone's point or intention, "picking up what someone is putting down" is about grasping the deeper or hidden meaning in their communication.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *catch someone's drift* can be used in a sentence:
- "I didn't understand the professor's lecture at first, but after asking a few questions, I finally caught his drift."
- "My friend kept dropping subtle hints about a surprise party, so I eventually caught her drift and pretended to be clueless."
- "During the meeting, the manager was talking about the need to improve customer service without directly saying it. I caught his drift and knew he wanted us to focus on customer satisfaction."
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