tale-bearer

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who spreads gossip or rumors: "tale-bearer" refers to an individual who maliciously or habitually passes on stories, often of a private or scandalous nature, about others. This term carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of discretion or a tendency to cause trouble through speech.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She was known as the office tale-bearer, always whispering about colleagues. (A person who spreads gossip in a workplace setting.)
  • The king dismissed the tale-bearer for sowing discord among the courtiers. (A person who spreads malicious stories to create conflict.)

Advanced Usage

• "A tale-bearer's tongue": a metaphorical phrase emphasizing the harmful power of gossip.

  • A tale-bearer's tongue can ruin reputations faster than any weapon. (The words of a gossip are extremely damaging.)

• "to play the tale-bearer": to act as a gossip or informant.

  • He played the tale-bearer to gain favor with the boss. (He deliberately spread stories to curry favor.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tale-bearing (n): the act or habit of spreading gossip or rumors.

  • Tale-bearing is considered a vice in many cultures. (The practice of spreading rumors is viewed negatively.)

• Tale-teller (n): a synonym for tale-bearer, though sometimes used more neutrally for a storyteller.

  • The village tale-teller was both a gossip and a source of entertainment. (A person who both tells stories and spreads rumors.)

Synonyms

• Gossip: a person who habitually talks about others' private lives.
  • She is a gossip who cannot keep a secret.
• Busybody: a person who meddles in the affairs of others.
  • The neighbor is a busybody who always knows everyone's business.
• Informer: a person who gives information, often secret or damaging, to authorities.
  • The informer reported the illegal activity to the police. (Note: "informer" is less negative than "tale-bearer" in some contexts.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Bear tales: to spread gossip or rumors (archaic or literary).
  • She bore tales about her classmates to the teacher. (She told stories about them, often exaggerated or untrue.)

Related Idioms

• A tale-bearer is worse than a thief: a proverb meaning that spreading gossip causes more harm than stealing material goods.

  • Remember, a tale-bearer is worse than a thief — they steal reputations. (Gossip damages what cannot be replaced.)

• Set a tale-bearer to work: to encourage or employ someone to spread rumors (often used ironically).

  • If you want the news to spread quickly, set a tale-bearer to work. (Use a gossip to disseminate information.)