hear it on the grapevine
Meaning
To hear news or gossip indirectly through informal sources, not from an official or direct statement.
Origin
The “grapevine” became a metaphor for informal communication networks in the 1800s, popularized during the U.S. Civil War by the term “grapevine telegraph” (rumor-based news). It spread further via songs like “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.”
Notes
Implies secondhand, unofficial information—often rumor or gossip. Common in casual speech; can suggest the info may be unreliable.
Examples
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I heard it on the grapevine that our manager is leaving next month.
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We heard on the grapevine that the restaurant is closing after this weekend.
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She heard it on the grapevine that Tom and Mia are engaged.
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I heard on the grapevine that the company might announce layoffs soon.
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Did you hear on the grapevine that there’s a new coffee shop opening near the station?
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used as “hear it on/through the grapevine” or “I heard it through the grapevine.” The pronoun/object varies (“heard about the merger through the grapevine”). Often in past tense; “the grapevine” is typically fixed with “the.”
Synonyms
- hear through the grapevine
- hear it secondhand
- hear on the rumor mill
- catch wind of
Antonyms
- hear it straight from the source
- hear it officially
- get official confirmation