Hear on the grapevine

Meaning

The idiom "hear on the grapevine" means to hear something about someone or something that is not necessarily true, often as a rumor or gossip. It refers to information that has been passed along through word of mouth and may not have been verified or confirmed by any official sources. The phrase suggests that the information is like grapes on a vine, which can be picked up quickly from one person to another without being checked for accuracy.

Usage

• "I heard on the grapevine that they're planning to shut down the factory soon."
• "Rumors have been circulating about the relationship between the two celebrities, but I haven't heard anything concrete yet."
• "My friend told me she saw someone at the beach today wearing a bikini, but it was supposed to be too cold for that."
• "The gossip on the grapevine is that the mayor is planning to resign before his term ends."
• "I heard from my sister that they're expecting a baby next year, but I haven't seen any official announcement yet."

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "hear on the grapevine" is not entirely clear, but it has been in use since at least the 19th century. One theory suggests that the phrase originated in the wine industry, where grapes are often left to hang on vines until they ripen and are picked up by workers who pass them along. The information about the grapes' ripeness would be passed through word of mouth, and workers would often discuss the quality of the grapes they had picked up. Another theory suggests that the phrase comes from the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, where God describes a vision of a vine and its branches bearing fruit. The idiom has evolved over time to refer specifically to information that is not necessarily true or verified, but rather something that has been passed along through gossip or rumor.

Synonyms in English

• "Rumor mill" - A place where rumors or gossip are talked about and spread.
• "Gossip column" - A part of a newspaper or magazine that contains rumors or gossip.
• "Watercooler conversation" - Conversation that takes place around the water cooler at work, often about non-work-related topics.
• "Scuttlebutt" - Gossip or rumor that is spread by word of mouth.
• "Breaking news" - News that is being reported for the first time.

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "Rumores" (rumors) - A common idiom in Spanish that refers to gossip or rumor.
• French: "Cuisses de l'oignon" (onion legs) - An idiom in French that suggests something is true, but not necessarily good news.
• German: "Die Leiter des Unterrichtsamtes verstand nichts von der Verhaltensordnung" (The head of the school administration did not understand anything about the conduct rules) - A common saying in Germany that refers to a situation where someone is ignorant or unaware of something.
• Italian: "Non mi sembra" (it doesn't seem right) - An idiom in Italian that suggests something does not feel right, even if it is technically accurate.
• Japanese: "言ったら尋める必要がありません" (If you say it, you will have to search for it) - A saying in Japanese that refers to a situation where saying something may lead to more questions and investigation.

Similar Idioms

• household name

• upset the applecart

• heart goes out to