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Definitions

catch the drift

VERB
appreciate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acknowledge comprehend fathom grasp know perceive read realize recognize sympathize with understand
STRONG
apprehend dig savvy
WEAK
be aware of be cognizant of be conscious of see daylight take account of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignore misinterpret miss mistake misunderstand neglect not get
WEAK
be critical criticize decrease depreciate disparage disregard lose value overlook
VERB
sense
Synonyms
STRONGEST
anticipate appreciate believe discern feel grasp notice perceive realize think understand
STRONG
apperceive apprehend catch consider credit deem dig divine hold know observe read savvy suspect
WEAK
be with it catch on feel in bones feel in gut get the drift get the idea get the impression get the picture get vibes have a feeling have a hunch pick up take in
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disbelieve disregard ignore misinterpret miss misunderstand neglect overlook
STRONG
abandon forget let go lose release
WEAK
be numb be unaware

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A kind of Richard Burton-Elizabeth Taylor vibe if you are old enough to catch the drift, an on-off thing, love and hate, tempestuous, never dull.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2025

Cats can, obviously, catch the drift more than people.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2024

In a way that actually was not measured, admittedly, but we're all adult enough to catch the drift of these elaborate concepts.

From The Guardian • Oct. 1, 2012

Here and there it was hard to catch the drift of conversations, in particular those in Cajun French.

From Time Magazine Archive

Shorty happened to be looking at another man that minute, and did not at first catch the drift of Billings's remarks.

From Si Klegg, Book 5 (of 6) The Deacon's Adventures At Chattanooga In Caring For The Boys by McElroy, John