Meaning
To learn something through informal, unofficial channels — gossip, rumor, or word of mouth — rather than from an official source.
It often carries a hint that the information may be unconfirmed or somewhat distorted, since it has passed through several people before reaching the listener.
Origin
The phrase is generally traced to the American Civil War era, when early telegraph lines were sometimes strung haphazardly from tree to tree, giving them a tangled, meandering appearance reminiscent of a grapevine; messages sent this improvised way, or rumors that spread through informal channels rather than the official telegraph network, came to be described as arriving “through the grapevine.” Whatever its exact origins, the phrase’s popularity was later cemented in mainstream American culture by the 1966 Motown song “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong and made famous by Marvin Gaye’s 1968 recording.
Examples
I heard through the grapevine that she’s leaving the company.
News travels fast through the grapevine in this office.
He found out about the surprise party through the grapevine.
A: How did you know about the merger? B: I heard it through the grapevine.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Through the grapevine' mean?
To learn something through informal, unofficial channels — gossip, rumor, or word of mouth — rather than from an official source.
It often carries a hint that the information may be unconfirmed or somewhat distorted, since it has passed through several people before reaching the listener.