The Village Idiom

hear things

The idiom "hear things" means to become aware of rumors or gossip that may or may not be true.

Filed under H

In a sentence

  • She heard things about her colleagues that made her question their trustworthiness.
  • He tends to hear things and then gossip about them without verifying the information.
  • After the accident, she started to hear things that weren't actually there, indicating a possible psychological issue.

Where it comes from and how it is used

Hear things is a commonly used idiom in everyday American English. It is often used to express the idea of hearing information or rumors that may be questionable or unverified. The speaker has heard something, but they don't necessarily believe it to be true or reliable.

This idiom is versatile and can be used in various contexts and situations. It can be employed in casual conversations among friends, in professional settings, or even in media discussions. People use it to convey a sense of skepticism or uncertainty about the information they have heard.

In addition, the idiom "get wind of" is related to hear things. This phrase means to hear about something, often secretly or indirectly. It conveys the idea of hearing information that is not widely known or discussed.

Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.