a little bird told me
Anonymous tip received
A little bird told me is a playful way of saying you learned something but won't reveal your source: A little bird told me you're getting promoted.
The phrase suggests insider knowledge delivered through secret or informal channels.
It's deliberately evasive—the speaker knows but isn't telling how.
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- secretConcealed information
- hush hushExtremely secret, concealed
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
heard through · hearsay · grapevine · word of mouth · hush · confidential · off the record · source · tip · inside scoop · murmur · overheard · anonymous · insider · unnamed source · buzz · sparrow · chirp
source transparency
a little bird told meon the record
Openly stated, quotable
according to · to be specific · attributed to · full disclosure
directness of information acquisition
a little bird told meeyewitness account
Testimony from direct observer