be/get wise to somebody/something
be wise to (someone or something)
To be fully aware or cognizant of someone or something, especially if it is suspicious, illegal, or malicious in nature or intention. We'd better watch our step—I think the police are wise to us! I'm wise to your scheme, and I'll find a way to make sure you can never put it into action! Now that I've been teaching for a few years, I'm wise to kids who try to cheat on their tests.
See also: wise
get wise to (someone or something)
To become fully aware or cognizant of someone or something, especially if he, she, or it is suspicious, illegal, or malicious in nature or intention. We'd better watch our step—I think the police are getting wise to us! I hope my brother doesn't get wise to my scheme to take over the company.
See also: get, wise
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
get wise to
Also be wise to. See through the deception of; also, become aware of. For example, It took a while, but she finally got wise to Fred's lies, or I'm wise to the fact that her clothes come from a thrift shop. [Colloquial; mid-1800s]
See also: get, wise
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
be/get ˈwise to somebody/something
(informal) be/become aware of something or aware of somebody’s (usually bad) behaviour: When did you first get wise to what was happening? He thought he could fool me but I’m wise to him.See also: get, somebody, something, wise
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- be wise to (someone or something)
- get wise to (someone or something)
- aware
- be aware of (something)
- speak ill of
- speak ill of (someone or something)
- speak/think ill of somebody
- throw enough dirt, and some will stick
- throw enough mud, and some will stick
- throw mud enough, and some will stick