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hear it through the grapevine
/hɪər ɪt θruː ðə ˈɡreɪpvaɪn/◆idiom
learn information indirectly
I heard through the grapevine that they’re getting married next month.
The speaker learned about the upcoming wedding from an indirect or unofficial source.
informal
to learn information indirectly or informally, often through gossip or rumor
Did you hear it through the grapevine that the company is planning layoffs?
The speaker is asking if the listener received the news about potential layoffs from unofficial sources.
She always knows what’s going on because she hears it through the grapevine at the coffee shop.
The speaker relies on informal channels, like conversations at a coffee shop, to stay informed.
Often implies that the information may not be entirely accurate or verified.
Collocations
hear something through the grapevinereceive information indirectlythe grapevine is buzzingthere is a lot of informal talk or gossip
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Use in context
This idiom works best when the information is informal or unverified. Avoid using it for official or confirmed news.
Gold Rule
Accuracy implication
The phrase often suggests that the information may not be entirely accurate, so use it cautiously in formal settings.
Word Origin
The phrase originated in the early 19th century, referring to the telegraph system, where messages were transmitted via wires strung between poles, resembling grapevines. The informal spread of information through social networks later adopted this imagery.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in both personal and professional contexts to describe information passed along informally. It can imply that the source of the information is unreliable or unverified.
Word Breakdown
hear
to perceive or become aware of a sound or information
verbit
the information being referred to
pronounthrough the grapevine
via informal or indirect communication channels
prepositional phraseEnglish Dictionary