hear of

To learn that someone or something exists, or receive news about them.

• Have you heard of this band?
• I first heard of the town last year.
• She had never heard of anyone surviving such a fall.

How to use it: hear of someone/something (Have you heard of this writer?); hear of someone doing something (I have never heard of him losing a race.)

Similar words: learn of, know of

Common phrases: hear of someone, hear of something

To accept or allow something, usually used when saying that you refuse to do so.

• She would not hear of it.
• My aunt will not hear of me staying in a hotel.
• He would not hear of any change to the plan.

How to use it: will not hear of something (She will not hear of any delay.); will not hear of someone doing something (He would not hear of us paying for dinner.)

Similar words: allow, permit, tolerate

Opposites: forbid

Common phrases: not hear of something, not hear of it