THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Hear it through the grapevine
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To learn information informally from other people rather than from an official source.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- I heard it through the grapevine that the evening class may move to Thursday.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
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Can you recall the expression?
Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?
To learn information informally from other people rather than from an official source.
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Hear it through the grapevine — To learn information informally from other people rather than from an official source.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Hear it through the grapevine” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
To learn information informally from other people rather than from an official source.
Compare: I heard it through the grapevine that the evening class may move to Thursday.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use it conversationally for news passed from person to person. It signals that you may need to verify the information.
More examples in context
- She heard through the grapevine that the café needed a weekend assistant.
- We heard it through the grapevine, so we checked with the organiser before changing our plans.
Usage note
“Hear something on the grapevine” is a variation. Informal information may be true or false; the expression describes the route it took, not its accuracy.
A short conversation
A: Is the club really planning another exhibition?
B: I heard it through the grapevine, but I have not seen an announcement.
A: Let us ask the coordinator before booking anything.
One more practice question
Which information comes through the grapevine?
A. A confirmed announcement read directly on the organiser’s official page.
B. News passed informally from one acquaintance to another.
Check your answer
B. The source is an informal chain of people.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.