grapevine saying

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseinformal

   an informal expression or piece of news that spreads by word of mouth rather than official announcement.

   Grammar: This is not a standard fixed phrase; it is usually understood as a combination of grapevine and saying.

   Patterns

   • a grapevine saying
   • the grapevine says
   • hear something through the grapevine

   There is an old grapevine saying that good news travels fast.

   I do not know if it is true; it is just a grapevine saying.

   The office grapevine saying was that the manager would leave.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformal

   the informal route by which rumors and gossip pass from person to person.

   Grammar: Often used in the fixed expression 'through the grapevine'.

   Patterns

   • through the grapevine
   • on the grapevine
   • the grapevine says

   I heard through the grapevine that they are moving abroad.

   News travels fast on the grapevine in a small town.

   She learned about the changes through the grapevine.

Common combinations

through the grapevine

We heard about the party through the grapevine.

the grapevine says

The grapevine says the shop is closing.

office grapevine

The office grapevine is always busy before a holiday.

Synonyms and how they differ

rumor

Rumor is a single piece of unverified information; the grapevine is the informal system that carries it.

word of mouth

Word of mouth is a neutral way to describe information spread by talking; the grapevine often suggests gossip.

Word family

grapevine noun

The plant that grapes grow on, or the informal network for news.

Commonly confused: grapevine saying or proverb? grapevine saying or grapevine?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “grapevine saying”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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