by word of mouth

Meaning

This phrase describes how information, news, or recommendations spread from person to person through spoken conversation rather than through official advertising or media. It highlights the organic, trusted nature of personal recommendations.

Examples

• Most of our new clients find out about our bakery by word of mouth.

  Most of our new clients find out about our bakery by word of mouth.

• The underground concert wasn't advertised online; people only heard about it by word of mouth.

  The underground concert wasn't advertised online; people only heard about it by word of mouth.

• We don't spend money on advertising because our business grows purely by word of mouth.

  We don't spend money on advertising because our business grows purely by word of mouth.

• News of the secret beach spread by word of mouth among the locals.

  News of the secret beach spread by word of mouth among the locals.

• I heard about this amazing dentist by word of mouth from a coworker.

  I heard about this amazing dentist by word of mouth from a coworker.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I heard the news by words of mouth.

  ✓ I heard the news by word of mouth.

  The word 'word' must remain singular. 'Words of mouth' is grammatically incorrect in this idiom.

• ✗ I got this recommendation by mouth word.

  ✓ I got this recommendation by word of mouth.

  The order of the words is fixed. You cannot shorten it or swap the positions of 'word' and 'mouth'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The small local cafe became famous entirely ___.

  💡 Spoken recommendations from person to person.

  Show answer

  by word of mouth

• We don't need a marketing budget; our reputation spreads ___.

  💡 Think of spoken communication instead of digital ads.

  Show answer

  by word of mouth