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Glite Dictionary
to get the memo

to get the memo

14 7.1
To learn about a rule others already know and follow it
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : enterarse de
  • Everyone in the office seems to get the memo about the new dress code except for you.
  • the guy who didn't get the memo
  • never got the memo
  • just got the memo

But please trust me when I tell you the narcissist didn't get the memo.

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Examples

Synonyms

to get wind
vsto get the memo
31 5.8

Hear about something by chance, not from official sources

is being informed directly about important or obvious facts others know
to wise up
vsto get the memo
  • Informal
16 7.1

To learn the true facts after not knowing them

means becoming aware of important obvious information often told by others
to catch wind of
vsto get the memo
  • Informal
7 5.4

Hear about something from other people before official news

refers to being told or becoming aware of clear important information

Antonyms

uninformed
42 3.7

Not knowing about a subject or situation

How Informed

to get the memo
  • Informal
14 7.1
to find out
∞ 2.1
to learn
∞ 1.0
to rumor
  • US
74 3.9

Surface Forms

get the memo infinitive
getting the memo present participle
gets the memo third person singular
got the memo past
got the memo past participle

Morphology

get + the + memo

The meaning 'become aware/informed' is directly derivable from 'get' (receive/comprehend) + 'memo' (a written message), so a learner who knows both constituents can infer that it means to receive information. While it can carry pragmatic or sarcastic nuance in use, the core composition (receive a message → be informed) is transparent and cross-linguistically common.

Etymology

The phrase get the memo comes from office life. A memo was a short written note sent to people in the office, so to get a memo meant you had received the message. So today, saying someone 'got the memo' means they are 'aware' or 'informed' about something others already know.