Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

a little bird told me

idiom
/ə ˈlɪtəl bɜrd toʊld mi/
Definition
A phrase used to indicate that the speaker has heard something from a secret or unreliable source, without revealing who told them.
Examples
  • “A little bird told me you got a promotion at work!”
  • “I heard you’re moving, but a little bird told me you might be changing your mind.”
  • “Don’t ask me how I found out, but a little bird told me she’s planning a surprise party for you.”
Meaning
This expression suggests that someone has shared information, but the speaker does not want to disclose the source of that information.
Synonyms
  • “I heard through the grapevine”
  • “A source close to the situation”
  • “Someone mentioned”