tale-telling

tale-telling

A child is tale-telling to the teacher about a broken window.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • The act of revealing secrets or private information: "tale-telling" refers to the practice of disclosing confidential or personal details about others, often with malicious intent.
    • The act of spreading gossip or fabricated stories: It can also mean the telling of exaggerated or invented narratives, typically to harm someone's reputation.

  2. Adjective:

    • Inclined to gossip or betray confidences: Describing a person who habitually engages in revealing secrets or spreading stories about others.
Usage Examples

  • Noun:

    • Her constant tale-telling made her unpopular among her colleagues. (The act of spreading gossip about coworkers.)
    • The child was punished for tale-telling after he reported his sister's secret to their mother. (The act of revealing private information.)

  • Adjective:

    • He is a tale-telling friend who cannot be trusted with personal matters. (A person who habitually betrays confidences.)
Advanced Usage

  • "a tale-telling spirit": a tendency or inclination to gossip or betray secrets.

    • The office had a tale-telling spirit, with everyone whispering about each other's private lives. (A pervasive atmosphere of gossip.)

  • "tale-telling as a social tool": using gossip to gain social advantage or manipulate relationships.

    • In some circles, tale-telling is used as a means to curry favor with those in power. (Gossip employed strategically.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Tale-teller (n): a person who engages in tale-telling; a gossip.

    • The tale-teller spread rumors about the new employee on her first day. (A person who spreads gossip.)

  • Tale-bearing (n): synonym for tale-telling; the act of carrying or spreading stories.

    • Tale-bearing is discouraged in this community because it breeds mistrust. (The act of gossiping.)
Synonyms
  • Gossip: casual or unconstrained conversation about the affairs of others, often involving details not confirmed as true.
  • Tattling: the act of reporting the misdeeds or secrets of others, especially by children.
  • Blabbing: revealing secrets or private information carelessly.
Phrasal Verbs

  • Tell tales: to reveal secrets or spread stories about others.

    • She always tells tales about her classmates to the teacher. (She reports on others' behavior.)

  • Spill the beans: to disclose a secret unintentionally or prematurely.

    • He spilled the beans about the surprise party. (He revealed the secret plan.)
Related Idioms

  • Let the cat out of the bag: to reveal a secret, often by accident.

    • By mentioning the gift, she let the cat out of the bag about the surprise. (She inadvertently revealed the secret.)

  • A little bird told me: a phrase used to indicate that the speaker learned information from a secret or unnamed source.

    • A little bird told me you're planning a trip. (The speaker knows from a private source.)