Practice
On the grapevine: meaning and use in English
Sign in to saveAt lunch, Imani says, 'I heard on the grapevine that the cafe will close early on Friday.' She means that someone passed the news to her informally. She has not heard it from the cafe itself, so she checks before changing her plans.
Understand on the grapevine as an informal way to say that news has passed from person to person, use it with hear or heard, and check important information with a reliable source.
Read and practice
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on the grapevine /ɒn ðə ˈɡreɪpvaɪn/
The short answer
Use on the grapevine after hear or heard when you learned something through informal talk: 'I heard on the grapevine that Maya is moving.' It tells the listener that the news did not come from an official source. Check the person or organization involved before you act on important news.
We heard on the grapevine that the library would open later during the holiday week.
Why it works: The speakers received the news informally, so they should check the library's notice for the final opening time.
6 more examples
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I heard on the grapevine that the neighborhood market may open on Sundays.
The speaker heard an informal report, so may keeps the information uncertain.
Not this:The market
posted its Sunday hourson the front door. What changes: This is a direct announcement from the market, so the information is no longer just grapevine news. -
Nora heard on the grapevine that her old teacher had retired.
Nora learned the news from people talking, not from the teacher.
Not this:Nora received a
retirement messagefrom her old teacher. What changes: The teacher is the direct source of the news in this sentence. -
We heard through the grapevine that the train platform had changed.
Through the grapevine has the same informal meaning here.
Not this:The
station screenshowed the new platform number. What changes: The screen provides an official update, which is the safer information to follow. -
I heard on the grapevine that Leila might join the book club.
Might shows that Leila's plans are not confirmed.
Not this:Leila
told the book clubthat she would join next month. What changes: Leila gives the information herself, so the group can treat it as her stated plan. -
Raj heard on the grapevine that the workshop was full, so he checked the booking page.
Raj does not rely on an informal report when a place at the workshop matters.
Not this:Raj told his friends that the workshop was full
without checking. What changes: Repeating an unconfirmed report can pass on incorrect information. -
Mia said she had heard on the grapevine about a possible schedule change.
Possible signals that Mia is sharing unconfirmed news carefully.
Not this:The manager sent the staff the
confirmed schedule changeby email. What changes: The email gives staff direct information they can use for planning.
Read the full guide
Pay attention to the source of the news. If a friend, neighbor, or coworker passed it along, you can say that you heard it on the grapevine. The idiom does not name the original source or prove that the information is correct. It helps you make that uncertainty clear in a casual conversation.
Recognize indirect news
Use on the grapevine when information has moved through casual conversation. The speaker does not name an official announcement, document, or direct message. The phrase tells the listener that the news came by word of mouth and may need checking.
I heard on the grapevine that the gym is getting new equipment.
The speaker has heard informal news about the gym. The sentence does not say that the gym has confirmed it.
Did the speaker receive an official announcement from the gym?
No. The phrase says that the information came through informal talk.
Use the common sentence pattern
The usual pattern is hear or heard on the grapevine followed by that and the news: 'I heard on the grapevine that the store is moving.' You can use through the grapevine in the same position. Do not use on the grapevine to introduce an official source; name the source instead.
She heard through the grapevine that the club was planning a trip.
Through the grapevine has the same meaning as on the grapevine in this sentence.
The club emailed members that it was planning a trip.
The club is the named source here, so the sentence reports direct information.
Show uncertainty honestly
Because grapevine news is indirect, choose words that do not make it sound certain. May, might, possible, and apparently can show that you are reporting something you have not confirmed. Avoid turning a rumor into a fact when you repeat it.
I heard on the grapevine that the course might start later this term.
Might keeps the report open because the course provider has not confirmed the start time.
Which word helps make the report less certain: might or definitely?
Might helps because it shows that the speaker does not know whether the news is true.
Check news that affects you
Informal news can be useful as an early clue, but it is not enough when you need to book travel, attend an event, change a deadline, or make another practical decision. Look for the organization’s notice, message, or website. If that is not available, ask the person responsible.
I heard on the grapevine that the meeting had moved, so I checked the calendar invitation.
The calendar invitation can confirm the time and place before the speaker travels to the meeting.
What should you check before changing your travel plans because of grapevine news?
Check an official notice or ask the person or organization that can confirm the change.
Handle personal news with care
A rumor about a person can spread quickly and cause harm even when it is false. Do not use on the grapevine to excuse sharing private news about someone else. If you hear something personal, consider whether it is yours to repeat. A direct, respectful question may be appropriate only when the relationship and situation make it welcome.
I heard something about Sam, but I will wait for Sam to share it.
The speaker avoids passing on personal information that Sam has not chosen to discuss.
Why is it better not to repeat unconfirmed personal news?
The report may be wrong, private, or harmful to the person it concerns.
Before you go
Remember this
Use on the grapevine when news reached you through informal talk from person to person. The usual pattern is 'I heard on the grapevine that ...' It signals that the source is indirect and the news may need checking. For important information, use an official notice or ask the person who can confirm it.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
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Try the written questionsQuestions about "On the grapevine: meaning and use in English"
What does on the grapevine mean in English?
On the grapevine means through informal talk as information passes from person to person. You use it to show that you did not receive the news from an official or direct source. The news may be true, but the idiom does not confirm it.
I heard on the grapevine that the neighborhood market may open on Sundays.
How do I use on the grapevine in a sentence?
Use on the grapevine after hear or heard. A common pattern is 'I heard on the grapevine that ...' followed by the news you heard. You can also say through the grapevine with the same meaning in many informal conversations.
The market posted its Sunday hours on the front door.
Does on the grapevine mean gossip?
On the grapevine can refer to gossip, but it can also refer to ordinary unannounced news that people pass along. The phrase tells you that the source is informal and indirect. It does not tell you whether the information is kind, accurate, or useful.
Nora heard on the grapevine that her old teacher had retired.
Is on the grapevine formal or informal?
On the grapevine is informal. It fits relaxed conversation, messages between friends, and light workplace chat. In a formal email, report, or decision that needs evidence, name the actual source or use direct wording such as 'The organizer confirmed that ...'
Nora received a retirement message from her old teacher.
Should I repeat news I heard on the grapevine?
Check important information before you repeat or act on it. Informal news can be incomplete or wrong, and personal news may be private. Look for an official notice or ask the person or organization involved, especially when the news could affect plans or another person.
We heard through the grapevine that the train platform had changed.