"Getting the drift" is an idiomatic expression that refers to understanding or comprehending the general sense or direction of a conversation, speech, or situation, often through perceiving subtle hints, clues, or implications rather than explicitly stated information. It implies grasping the basic or underlying meaning or intention behind someone's words or actions.
The phrase originates from nautical terminology, where "drift" refers to the movement or course of a ship due to wind or currents. "Getting the drift" metaphorically indicates the ability to perceive the figurative winds and currents in a conversation or situation, and align oneself accordingly. It suggests being able to follow the flow of a conversation or situation, capturing its essence and making inferences about what is left unsaid.
When someone says they are "getting the drift," it implies an understanding that goes beyond the literal words used or information provided. It involves picking up on implied messages, subtext, or nonverbal cues, and making reasonable assumptions about the intentions or meanings behind them. In this context, "getting the drift" often involves a level of intuition, inference, or deduction, as one reads between the lines to interpret the message in a conversation or situation.
Overall, "getting the drift" emphasizes the ability to comprehend the deeper layers of meaning and intention in spoken or unspoken communication, crucial for effective interpersonal understanding and effective participation in various social contexts.
