hear things: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘hear things’ mean?

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

Idiom Explorer

Decoding Auditory Delusions

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.

One related idiom is "hear through the grapevine." This phrase means to hear information or rumors through unofficial channels. It implies that the information is passed on through informal networks, similar to how grapevines spread their tendrils.

I'll believe it when I see it

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.

Another related idiom is "hear voices." This phrase refers to the experience of hearing voices in one's head, which can be a symptom of mental health disorders such as schizophrenia. It is not used in the same way as the idiom "hear things," but it shares the common theme of hearing something.

Similarly, the idiom "hear the grass grow" is related to hear things. This phrase is a metaphorical expression that means to have extremely acute hearing or be able to hear very faint sounds. It is often used to describe someone with exceptional hearing abilities.

Lastly, the idiom "believe one's ears" is related to hear things. This phrase means to be surprised or shocked by what one hears. It implies that the information is unexpected or hard to believe.

To summarize, the idiom "hear things" is frequently used to express skepticism or uncertainty about information or rumors. It can be used in different contexts and situations, and its meaning and usage can vary depending on the speaker's tone and emphasis. Other related idioms include "hear through the grapevine," "get wind of," "hear voices," "hear the grass grow," and "believe one's ears." These idioms add depth and nuance to the concept of hearing things, reflecting the complexity of language and human communication.

Example usage

Examples of how the idiom "hear things" can be used in a sentence:

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

More "Auditory" idioms

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