hear on the grapevine
Learn through gossip
To hear on the grapevine is to learn something through informal channels—rumors, gossip, or word of mouth rather than official sources.
The image is of information traveling along interconnected vines, passing from person to person: I heard on the grapevine that they're getting divorced.
Often shortened to through the grapevine.
Unconfirmed circulating story
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- scuttlebuttInformal rumor or speculation
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
buzz · chatter · scandal · dirt · tea · innuendo · talebearer · gossipmonger
Information shared through conversation
- spreadTo distribute widely
- circulateMove in a loop
- pass alongTransmit to another
- relayStage-by-stage transmission
share · tell · leak · divulge · disclose · convey · transmit · disseminate
Unproven theorizing or risky investment
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- unconfirmedNot officially validated
- unsubstantiatedWithout supporting evidence
unfounded · uncorroborated · unproven · allegation · assumption · supposition · anecdotal · secondhand
Relationships between things
- contactsPeople you know professionally
- networkInterconnected system
- circlesEquidistant curves from centers
- communityCollective of connected people
insider · source · informant · friend of a friend · well-connected · in the loop · plugged in · ears to the ground
rumor
Unconfirmed circulating story
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- scuttlebuttInformal rumor or speculation
tittle-tattle · buzz · chatter · scandal · dirt · tea · innuendo · talebearer · gossipmonger · busybody
word-of-mouth
Information shared through conversation
- spreadTo distribute widely
- circulateMove in a loop
- pass alongTransmit to another
relay · share · tell · leak · divulge · disclose · convey · transmit · disseminate · broadcast
speculation
Unproven theorizing or risky investment
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- unconfirmedNot officially validated
unsubstantiated · unfounded · uncorroborated · unproven · allegation · assumption · supposition · anecdotal · secondhand · unreliable
connections
Relationships between things
- contactsPeople you know professionally
- networkInterconnected system
- circlesEquidistant curves from centers
community · insider · source · informant · friend of a friend · well-connected · in the loop · plugged in · ears to the ground
hear on the grapevinepress release
Official statement for media
official channels · public announcement · formal communication · on the record · legal notice