hear it through the grapevine
To hear news or information through gossip
Literalmente: To receive information through the vine of grapes
Use this when you've heard a rumor but want to keep your source anonymous and casual.
Em 15 segundos
- Learning news through gossip or informal rumors.
- Information passed from person to person unofficially.
- A way to share news without naming the source.
Significado
This phrase means you heard a piece of news through gossip or rumors rather than from the person directly involved. It is like a secret message traveling through a long chain of friends and acquaintances.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Chatting with a coworker
I heard it through the grapevine that the manager is quitting.
I heard a rumor that the manager is leaving their job.
Texting a friend about a party
I heard through the grapevine that Sarah is throwing a huge party Friday.
I heard from someone that Sarah is having a party.
In a semi-professional meeting
I've heard through the grapevine that our budget might be increased.
There are rumors that our budget will grow.
Contexto cultural
The phrase originated during the 19th century when telegraph lines were strung haphazardly between trees, resembling grapevines. It gained massive cultural popularity in the 1960s due to the iconic Motown hit song 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine' by Marvin Gaye. Today, it reflects the universal human habit of sharing unofficial news within social networks.
Protect your sources
Use this phrase when you want to share news but don't want to get your friend in trouble for telling you!
Check the facts
Information from the grapevine is often slightly wrong. Always verify before making big decisions.
Em 15 segundos
- Learning news through gossip or informal rumors.
- Information passed from person to person unofficially.
- A way to share news without naming the source.
What It Means
Hear it through the grapevine is all about unofficial news. Imagine a long, winding grape plant connecting many people. One person whispers a secret at one end. It travels through several people before reaching you. You didn't see the event yourself. You didn't hear it from the boss. You heard it from a friend of a friend. It is the classic way to describe the 'rumor mill' in action.
How To Use It
You usually use this when you have a juicy bit of news. You want to share it but cannot name your source. You start your sentence with "I heard it through the grapevine that..." followed by the news. It protects your friends from being blamed for gossiping. It also adds a little mystery to the conversation. Just remember, the information might not be 100% true. Rumors change as they travel!
When To Use It
Use this in social settings with people you trust. It is perfect for the breakroom at work. Use it when texting a friend about a celebrity or a mutual acquaintance. It works well when you want to confirm if a rumor is true. For example, "I heard through the grapevine you're moving to Italy?" It sounds much softer than saying "I've been spying on your social media."
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in very formal legal or medical situations. If a judge asks for evidence, do not say you heard it through the grapevine. They want facts, not gossip! Also, avoid it if the news is very tragic or sensitive. Using a 'fun' idiom for a serious tragedy can seem insensitive. Keep it for office promotions, breakups, or secret parties.
Cultural Background
This phrase became famous during the American Civil War. Telegraph wires looked like tangled grapevines. People used them to send unofficial messages. Later, the Motown song by Marvin Gaye made it a global sensation. Now, it is the go-to phrase for anyone who loves a bit of tea (gossip). It suggests a community that talks a lot.
Common Variations
You might hear people say I heard on the grapevine or simply The grapevine says. In modern slang, people often just say I heard the tea. However, the grapevine version remains the most classic and widely understood. It is a timeless way to talk about how news spreads in a small town or a big office.
Notas de uso
This idiom is perfect for B2 learners because it bridges the gap between basic and native-level conversation. It is mostly informal but acceptable in relaxed professional environments.
Protect your sources
Use this phrase when you want to share news but don't want to get your friend in trouble for telling you!
Check the facts
Information from the grapevine is often slightly wrong. Always verify before making big decisions.
The Motown Connection
If you want to impress locals, mention the Marvin Gaye song. It's a karaoke favorite in English-speaking countries!
Exemplos
6I heard it through the grapevine that the manager is quitting.
I heard a rumor that the manager is leaving their job.
Common office usage for non-official news.
I heard through the grapevine that Sarah is throwing a huge party Friday.
I heard from someone that Sarah is having a party.
Used to verify social plans without being direct.
I've heard through the grapevine that our budget might be increased.
There are rumors that our budget will grow.
Softens the delivery of unconfirmed professional news.
I heard it through the grapevine that you've started dating my ex!
I heard a funny rumor you are dating my former partner.
Uses the idiom to lighten a potentially awkward topic.
I heard through the grapevine that you've been struggling lately.
I heard from others that you are having a hard time.
Shows concern while acknowledging the news came from others.
I heard it through the grapevine you're selling your car.
I heard a rumor you are selling your vehicle.
A polite way to bring up a topic you weren't told directly.
Teste-se
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence about a rumor.
I ___ that the local coffee shop is closing down.
The full idiom is 'heard it through the grapevine' to describe hearing a rumor.
Which preposition is commonly used with this phrase?
I heard the news ___ the grapevine.
Both 'on the grapevine' and 'through the grapevine' are widely accepted and used.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality Scale
Using 'I heard the tea'
Spill the tea!
Standard grapevine usage
I heard it through the grapevine...
Direct and factual
It has been officially reported...
Where the Grapevine Grows
Office Kitchen
Hearing about a promotion
Family Dinner
Hearing about a cousin's engagement
Group Chat
Sharing celebrity gossip
After Class
Hearing about an easy exam
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, it is a metaphor. It refers to the way rumors spread through a messy, interconnected network like the branches of a grapevine.
Yes, it is very common in office culture. Just keep it to casual conversations with colleagues rather than official reports.
Yes, both are correct. I heard it on the grapevine is slightly more common in British English, while Americans use both.
Not usually. It is a neutral way to admit you've heard a rumor without sounding like a malicious gossiper.
You can still use it! It describes the *way* you got the news (unofficially), regardless of whether the news is true or false.
Absolutely. You can hear about a surprise party or a friend's new baby through the grapevine.
No, it is too idiomatic for academic or formal business writing. Use rumors suggest or unconfirmed reports instead.
You can confirm it by saying The grapevine is right! or deny it by saying The grapevine got it wrong this time.
Sometimes people just say I heard... but using the full idiom adds a more colorful and descriptive flair to your English.
Usually, yes. We don't use it for news that is on TV. It is for information that is being passed quietly between people.
Frases relacionadas
Rumor mill
The process by which rumors are created and spread.
A little bird told me
A playful way to say you heard a secret but won't say who told you.
Word of mouth
Information passed through people speaking rather than advertising.
Spill the tea
Modern slang for sharing juicy gossip.
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