hear something on the grapevine

hear (something) on the grapevine

To hear or learn of something through an informal means of communication, especially gossip. I heard on the grapevine that Stacy and Mark are getting a divorce. A: "How do you know the company is going bust?" B: "I heard it on the grapevine." Because my mom's heard horror stories on the grapevine, she's terrified of me living in the city by myself.

See also: grapevine, hear, on

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

hear something on the grapevine

acquire information by rumour or by unofficial communication.

This phrase comes originally from an American Civil War expression, when news was said to be passed ‘by grapevine telegraph’. Compare with bush telegraph (at telegraph).

See also: grapevine, hear, on, something

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017