on the grapevine

on the grapevine

Through or via an informal means of communication or information, especially gossip. There is always some absurd rumor or piece of misinformation on the grapevine at work, but I try to just tune most of that out. I heard on the grapevine that John is planning to propose to Samantha next week!
See also: grapevine, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

on/through the ˈgrapevine

by talking in an informal way to other people: I heard on the grapevine that you’re leaving.
See also: grapevine, on, through
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • on/through the grapevine
  • through the grapevine
  • jungle telegraph
  • grapevine
  • hear (something) on the grapevine
  • hear (something) through the grapevine
  • hear something on the grapevine
  • hear something through the grapevine
  • hear (something) on the jungle telegraph
  • latrinogram
References in periodicals archive
These results suggested that ARK-1sc could not reduce the pathogen population at the wound site on the grapevine plants during the early period after infection, but after 7 dai, suppressed the population of VAT03-9n.
Wineries on the Grapevine Express route include: Bargetto, Baywood Cellars, Silver Mountain Vineyards, Rancho Cellars, Boete Winery, Parsonage Village Vineyards, Chateau Julien, Heller Estate, Talbott, Georis, Joullian, Chateau Sinnet, Bernardus and San Saba wineries.
Whether it's labeled marketing hype or long overdue recognition, black books are in the spotlight, and BIBR is putting words on the grapevine about incredible new biographies like Valerie Boyd's Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston, and important new works by Michael Eric Dyson, John McWhorter and Manning Marable among other important thinkers, as well as a wide array of design books that have helped establish what can loosely be described as "black style."
Results showed that 43 percent of employees surveyed always or often relied on the grapevine for information.
"By not participating in office politics in a positive way, you may be stunting your professional growth." You shut yourself off from vital information sources found on the grapevine, people who know about new company trends, changes, job openings and other opportunities.
They establish a reliable listening post on the grapevine because that's where conflicts first surface as complaints: "Mary's not getting the work out quickly enough" or "I hate dealing with the surgeons." The manager who confronts an issue and resolves it before a formal complaint is filed will have far fewer full-blown conflicts.
Over the years, Hewitt conducted basic research on the grapevine viruses, Goheen and his staff performed the disease testing and therapy for the FPMS program, and Olmo was the plant explorer, sending innumerable new clones, varieties and species home to Davis.
Now, several managers have told us that they can't count on the grapevine to carry important news.
If you are, or suspect you are, likely to be worked over on the grapevine by a competitor who hopes to gain at your expense or by a disgruntled employee you've disciplined or caused to be disciplined for nonperformance, your first impulse may be to ignore the attack.