get my drift

Meaning

1. 1phraseidiominformal

   Understand the general meaning or intention of what someone is saying, even if they do not state it directly.

   Grammar: Used as a fixed phrase, often in questions or after 'do you'. The possessive can change: get my/his/her/your drift.

   Patterns

   • get someone's drift
   • get the drift

   I didn't explain every detail, but I think you get my drift.

   She didn't say she was unhappy, but I got her drift from her tone.

   Do you get my drift, or should I say it more clearly?

Common combinations

get the drift

I didn't catch every word, but I got the drift of the conversation.

get someone's drift

He was hinting that he wanted to leave early, and I got his drift.

catch someone's drift

It took me a moment to catch her drift, but then I understood.

if you get my drift

He's not the most reliable person, if you get my drift.

Synonyms and how they differ

catch on

Means to understand something after a delay; it is more general and does not need a possessive.

see what someone means

A more neutral way to say you understand someone's point; it is less informal than 'get my drift'.

follow

Used in phrases like 'I don't follow' to mean you do not understand the explanation; it focuses on the logic, not the general intention.

Opposites

Word family

drift noun

The general meaning or main idea of what is said or written.

Commonly confused: get my drift or get my meaning?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “get my drift”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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