Want to Know a Secret? Maybe You'll 'Get Wind of It'
2020-11-08
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1Now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2Wind is a powerful force in nature.
3High wind speeds from tornadoes, hurricanes and other violent storms can cause great destruction.
4But wind can also be a force for good.
5It can turn machinery that produces energy.
6It can help boats sail great distances.
7In the wild, wind can provide life-saving information to some animals.
8And it doesn't need to be a strong wind.
9For example, a scent or smell carried by a light breeze can tell a deer about the presence of a hunter just a few meters away.
10The wind can provide useful information to people, too!
11When we "get wind of something," we hear some news or information that has been kept private.
12Naturally, this air of secrecy makes it even more interesting.
13When using this expression, remember this: When we get wind of something, we become aware of the information through indirect means.
14In other words, we learn of it second-hand or through the grapevine.
15We do not hear it straight from the source.
16The wind might give others information that we want to keep quiet.
17For example, the leaders of the company were worried about investors getting wind of the factory fire.
18If the investors knew, they would probably withdraw their money and invest elsewhere.
19Here is another example: The filmmakers did not want the media to get wind of the actor's latest arrest.
20After all, she is playing a police officer in the movie.
21At times, the information or news sent by the wind is bad, just gossip or talk, and not really helpful at all.
22For example, if someone asks me, "Did you hear that so-and-so lost his job?" I can answer, "Yeah, I got wind of that yesterday."
23But sometimes the news or information is not bad.
24It is just something you want to keep secret.
25Like the time I tried to plan a surprise party for my best friend.
26I did not want him to get wind of it.
27That would ruin the surprise.
28But it is so difficult keeping anything from him.
29He is nosy and asks a lot of questions, such as: "Why are you calling all my friends?"
30Why are you buying so much food and drinks?" "Are you planning a party for me?"
31So much for that surprise party.
32Now this expression is not always about learning private information or keeping secrets.
33The wind can send us information that we need to make good decisions.
34For example, I was just about to buy tickets to a big three-day, outdoor music event.
35But then I got wind that my favorite performer (and the only reason I was going) had cancelled.
36Thank goodness a friend of a friend of a friend told me or I would not have known!
37That is all the time we have for Words and Their Stories.
38I will have a new story for you next week.
39But if I get wind of a change in plans, I'll make sure to let you know!
40Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.
1Now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2Wind is a powerful force in nature. High wind speeds from tornadoes, hurricanes and other violent storms can cause great destruction. 3But wind can also be a force for good. 4It can turn machinery that produces energy. 5It can help boats sail great distances. In the wild, wind can provide life-saving information to some animals. And it doesn't need to be a strong wind. For example, a scent or smell carried by a light breeze can tell a deer about the presence of a hunter just a few meters away. 6The wind can provide useful information to people, too! 7When we "get wind of something," we hear some news or information that has been kept private. Naturally, this air of secrecy makes it even more interesting. 8When using this expression, remember this: When we get wind of something, we become aware of the information through indirect means. In other words, we learn of it second-hand or through the grapevine. We do not hear it straight from the source. 9The wind might give others information that we want to keep quiet. For example, the leaders of the company were worried about investors getting wind of the factory fire. If the investors knew, they would probably withdraw their money and invest elsewhere. 10Here is another example: The filmmakers did not want the media to get wind of the actor's latest arrest. After all, she is playing a police officer in the movie. 11At times, the information or news sent by the wind is bad, just gossip or talk, and not really helpful at all. For example, if someone asks me, "Did you hear that so-and-so lost his job?" I can answer, "Yeah, I got wind of that yesterday." 12But sometimes the news or information is not bad. It is just something you want to keep secret. 13Like the time I tried to plan a surprise party for my best friend. I did not want him to get wind of it. That would ruin the surprise. 14But it is so difficult keeping anything from him. He is nosy and asks a lot of questions, such as: "Why are you calling all my friends?" Why are you buying so much food and drinks?" "Are you planning a party for me?" 15So much for that surprise party. 16Now this expression is not always about learning private information or keeping secrets. The wind can send us information that we need to make good decisions. 17For example, I was just about to buy tickets to a big three-day, outdoor music event. But then I got wind that my favorite performer (and the only reason I was going) had cancelled. Thank goodness a friend of a friend of a friend told me or I would not have known! 18That is all the time we have for Words and Their Stories. I will have a new story for you next week. But if I get wind of a change in plans, I'll make sure to let you know! 19Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo. 20Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 21____________________________________________________________ 22Words in This Story 23breeze - n. a light gentle wind 24aware - adj. knowing that something (such as a situation, condition, or problem) exists 25indirect - adj. not going straight from one point to another : not said or done in a clear and direct way 26secondhand - adj. not original : taken from someone who was not directly involved 27through the grapevine - idiomatic expression to learn something through an informal means of communication, especially gossip 28source - n. a cause or starting point 29gossip - n. information about the behavior and personal lives of other people 30nosy - adj. informal + disapproving : wanting to know about other people's lives, problems, etc. 31ticket - n. a piece of paper that allows you to see a show, participate in an event, travel on a vehicle, etc.