get the drift
Grasp the meaning
To get the drift is to understand the general meaning or gist of something without needing every detail spelled out: I didn't catch every word, but I got the drift.
The drift is the direction something is heading—you're following where the conversation or argument is going, even if imprecisely.
Often appears as a question checking comprehension: You get my drift?
- understandGrasp the meaning
- catch onGrasp or gain popularity
- realizeBecome aware of
- clue inProvide inside information
- fathomNautical depth unit
comprehend · gist · grasp · recognize · know · dig · cotton on · wise up · latch onto · take in · read between the lines · perceive · put two and two together · deduce · sense · infer · get it · get the message