Hear it on the grapevine
English Idiom
Meaning: To learn about something through informal means, often through gossip or casual conversation, rather than official channels.
Origin: The phrase 'hear it on the grapevine' originated in the mid-19th century, referring to the informal network of communication used by enslaved people in America. The 'grapevine' metaphorically represented the tangled and widespread nature of these secret communications. The idiom gained popularity during the American Civil War and was further popularized by the 1968 hit song 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine' by Marvin Gaye.
Examples
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She heard on the grapevine that the company is planning to lay off several employees next month.
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I found out through the grapevine that they got engaged over the weekend.
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Rumors about the merger circulated on the grapevine long before it was officially announced.
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He learned on the grapevine about the changes in the project's deadline.
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The news of their breakup was heard on the grapevine before they had a chance to tell anyone.
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I caught wind of the surprise party on the grapevine, so I made sure to keep the date free.
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Employees often hear on the grapevine about policy changes before receiving the official memo.
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She discovered on the grapevine that her favorite store was having a huge sale.
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Despite the secrecy, word got out on the grapevine about the unplanned audit.
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Through the grapevine, I found out that the new manager is actually a former employee.
